Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star MONDAY, JUNE 11th, 1917. THE BRITISH VICTORY.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 June 1917, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star MONDAY, JUNE 11th, 1917. THE BRITISH VICTORY.

The account of the battle of Messinea published on Saturday left no doubt as to the success of the British in that wonderful fighting below Ypres. The further particulars received yesterday and to-day confirm the good newsThe preparation for the great battle had been complete and perfect, and the organisation was ‘most effective. Modei'n battles involve giant preparations, the details of which it is hard to assimilate because of their vastness. The Messines sector has long, been held by the enemy. It was. in April and May of -1915 when the second battle of Ypres raged that the enemy won Hill 60, and established themselves very firmly along that line. This two year old battle was notable for the first use of poisonous eas by the Huns in carrying out their attack At that time it was a very thin line that stood for Britain in the defence of Ypres. There was the remnant of the Expeditionary Force, the first of the Canadians, some Indian troops, and reinforcing British Territorials who came straight from English territory into the bitter fighting line. The British were without heavy guns, and had but few machine guns. The enemy were fortified with the huge siege guns' which had blasted a way through Liege and Namur. Tn the earliest stages of the defence of Ypres the British had but a single heavy calibre gun ! Yet these handful of men, outnumbered by five to one, and altogether outranged in guns and shell power, held up the enemy over a battle which lasted from April 20 to May 13. For stubborn defence and tenacity this fight eclipsed even Verdun, in the light of the great odds against the Franco-British forces. This, then, was the hallowed quarter General Haig’s reborn army fought over last week, and in manner equal to the highest and best traditions won a victory of surpassing importance. New Zealand has a particular interest in this great battle, because our forces figured prominently in the fight, and had The honor of taking Messines itself, probably the main military objective of the undertaking The highest praise is accorded our troops by Army Headquarters. The econiums are worth repeating:— “ Headquarters state in winning Messines, the New Zealanders did work, as always, cleanly and well, and they had very light casualties. They have already consolidated and fortified the ground with a thoroughness and precision worthy of the highest praise.” This is wholehearted praise indeed, and will excite pride that our men contributed so notably to the British victory. Soon will come some details of the debit side, what the victory has cost, but we are sure the price has been willingly paid by those brave fellows who realise to the full what they are fighting for. Their sacrifice is another reminder of what we owe the men who risk all for ns, and is a reminder of our duty both individually and ns a community to remember and act up to the dictates of what is right in these matters. Our exultation at the British success will not be complete, indeed it will not be justified unless as a Dominion we do the right thing by all who are fighting in this great war for the Empire’s rights.

The decision to reduce racing by onethird will not come as surprise after tho preliminary talk which has been abroad on the subject. But with all that has been said, it has not been mado clear why this should be done as a matter of necessity. Nothing in tho way of information has been given to the public as to the reason for this curtailment of privolegos, not to justify the loss of revenue which will result all round as a result of the compulsory decrease. The Railway Department will lose a substantial sum of readily earned revenue; the Postal and Telegraph Department will suffer the loss of much good business, while the Treasury will be minus a very large

income which is very easily collected—without cost of collectors or officers. This is the public loss by the curtailment, which will have to be made good by general taxation. I n addition, there is going to bo the loss to the owners and trainers, and jockeys, whoso means of livelihood will he affected; the workmen in charge of racecourses and their maintenance will also be effected ; so that altogether the dislocation is calculated to havo a serious effect on many avenues of public interests, and for what genuinepurposes not clear. We are not satisfied that this now departure is going to curtail tho war by a single day, nor render tho public more ablo to bear the burden of the war.

Apropos of what the Government are attempting to do in a: departmental way to deliberately curtail racing we have evidence from the administration of tlie Railways. This branch of State enterprise seems to bo managed, with a calculating idea' to reduce racing, and incidentally to chop off a large portion of tho most profitable railway income. If the proposed reduction of ono thing comes about ns is now intended, it should be a condition that the Railway Department shall give reasonable l’acilites to the public to patroniso the remaining days of racing. Without this guarantee' many country clubs will be seriously affected still and will not bo in a position to keep up their stakes and maintain 'their (standing? as in times past. We do not know whether the Government has consider od this aspect of the question, but it is of moment that the opportunities for public enjoyment should not he, unduly curtailed. There is a good deal in tho buoyancy of the people if they are going to seo the war through cheerfully. Even enemy countries have recognised this, and ono of the results lias been the restoration of racing as far -ns possible. It will not bo to the advantage of his country to create a sullen, discontenting spirit. Hitherto the buoyancy of the sporting public has been most helpful in assisting patriotic work, nnd in tlis worthy work the racing Clubs have been the most liberal supporters.