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Hokitika Guardian, 12 November 1917, Page 2

Thk references made to-day is our Wellington letter together with Mr. Massay’s remarks on the war situation, will help to harden public opinion as to the necessity for the people .generally setting their teeth with regard to the prosecution of the war. For too long Ministers in New Zealand have spoken too optimistically about “an early ending of the war.” Weeks and months and seasons have been fixed Irom tilin' to time by the false prophets with whom hope rather than judgment was the father of the thoughts! At. this distance none can be well enough informed to pass judgment on the course of events sufficiently accurate to time the ending of the struggle. When we recall how the diplomacy of Great Britain has come to nought, bow its secret service has been totally ill-informed, individuals so far, afield as New Zea-

landers, without a little of anything savouring of inside information, arconly idle guessing when they attempt to foretell the early collapse of the enemy! With such facts as the set back to' the Italians and the Russian situation .before us, wo must realise that to reach the goal Britain has set out for, the way will he long and difficult. The best we can do is to settle down to the situation, and not further delude ourselves as to the task, but push forward manfully to win the prize which is more precious as the days go by because of the toll it is taking, and the salvation it will bring to the human race when won. We are in for a more terrific struggle tlyui was yet dreamt of, and it will he only hv organising our resources, and lighting the battle here as on the fields of Europe, that we can gain the victory we all hope so ardently for. Having made up our minds to stick out the war, lot us hope those in authority- without more ado. will set about

their part of the task . with becoming courage and swiftness. The Government have great powers under the AVar Regulations. I.eti then' use thorn to the fullest extent. Organise wliere they can, conscript where they may, but always have before them the supreme duty of winning the war. Let Ministers forget their own interests. Let “none he for Party, but all for State,” and behind them they will have a solid public opinion who will back them up as courageously a s of yore to win the war. Mr. Massey has padnted the bright side of the picture, and he can best communicate liis confidence in the comforting facts he has outlined, by a display of his own courage and leadership. Let him as it were, join hands with the forces which he enumerates as the winning factors in the war. Let hint give the country a lead, and declare what must be done, and the people will do it. War is war, and not a time for controversy. It is a time for action. Mr. Massey’s views should he ripe with the rich experience he has behind him. Surely wo have had enough parleying and cajoling. Lot us have deeds now. The Central Powers owe all their position to the unflinching leadership which dominates the countries and drives them on. The Allied Towers require alike, system of domination, which will not be warped by criticism here or there, or by threats of revolt. Let u s have a dictatorship, and as part of the whole system, let New Zealand he governed ■in the self-same relentless may and show again by example what wo might do to earn the dearly-bought victory which will be the reward for all posterity who come after.