COLONIAL SECRETARY VISITS NEW ZEALANDERS.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 March 1917, Page 4

COLONIAL SECRETARY VISITS NEW ZEALANDERS.

(From the New Zealand official war correspondent). London, March 9 An interesting hiatoric event took place on the British front to-day, when the Hon. Waltor Long, Secretary of State for the Colonies, accompanied by the Parliamentary Secretary, paid a visit to the New Zealand forces in the field.

One brigade and representatives uf ail th 9 other units were drawn up on a tree-lined road in Northern France. On arriving on the scene Mr Walter Long, accompanied by Major-General Godfrey, was met by Brigadier-Gen-eral Sir A. H. Russell, commanding the Division, and ths party proceeded on foot along the line. Mr Long keenly observed each unit and shook hands with all officers down to company commanders. Afterwards a leDgthy column marched past to the music of the bands, making a highly impressive sight. The men were in marching kit and looked splendid. Daring the parade a Boohe airman, Hying unusually low, attempted to come over the road, but a perfect fusillade from oar anti-air guns blocked his progress, and one shot, bursting close, made him retreat hurriedly. We could hear the caees of the shells whistling down into an adjacent field. The party afterwards visited the divisional baths, which put through from 1000 to 1500 men day, the washouse where 150 French woman are constantly employed in washing the socks, shirts, towels of the division, the mending and, drying rooms, and the fie’d ambulance. The Pioneers including Maoris, were also inspected, finally the party saw the dentists and dental mechanics at work. Our dentists have already made thousands of stoppings and dentures. All this proved highly inteiesticg.

In conversation afterwards Mr Long freely admitted that he was greatly affected with the thought that a little country like New Zealand Bboald send such a splendid force so many thousands of miles to fight in a foreign land. ■ He gladly -gave me the following message for the people of New Zea-

land : “I was enormously impressed by the fine phys'.quo and fitness of all ronk* and their grim determination

vvhicn b ;he rteotet of ■raec-s, lam Aar,6 it the people of N«'.v Z.mUiui could see rhsai as I saw them to-day, they would feel as I did, that the Empire that oan command such resources, must have not only victory before it but even a greater place in the world than ever before.” “ Speaking generally/’ ha addsd, “I feel perfectly confident, that with the troops we have, led as they are led, our efforts can only end in one way. The end has been postponed baoause Germany is a determined fighter, but tha immense resources he is np against, and still more one determination must convince him that he must suffer defeat. I" 1 my judgment onr resources are infinite, and sooner or later the enemy will realise this. The great cause that has brought us together in the defence of onr Empire and of the freedom and justice and protection for minorities, is already receiving almost world-wide recognition.” ___