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Hokitika Guardian, 27 November 1917, Page 2

Ax enthusiastic correspondent, writing of the smashing, of the famous Hindenburg lino, declares that it was the strangest battle in the world’s history. , That is saying a deal—it would have been better, perhaps, to describe it as the strangest in the present war/ It. certainly deserves to go down in history as the Battle of the Tanks, like the Battle of the Spurs, and other historical engagements. The value of the tanks lias been proved many a time and oft since that famous day in the Somme campaign when they made their first appearance to as f ound the enemy and convulse the Brii ish troops, and when a correspondent made the Empire laugh by his description of a tank “waddling up the main street of Flers, with the British Army cheering behind it.” But never before have they done such good work as in the latest battle when they ploughed through wire entanglements “scores of yards across,” composed of wire as thick as a man’s finger. The Germans first scoffed at the tanks, then tried to deprecate them by’ pointing out that they were no new idea, and finally let it he understood that they had constructed tanks of their own, but vastly superior to the British machines. For some reason, however, possible because they existed only in the imagination of the German novelist who writes the official communiques—his inventive faculty indicates that in normal times he was a writer of fiction—no one has ever seen these German- super-tanks. Old though the idea may be, in the hands of modern British engineers it lias proved astonishingly effective.

The correspondent who writes attain to-day on Labour aspects of the political situation has shifted his ground from his first s&nd that Political Labour members were the only party in the House to champion the rights of- the people. But having made thi s important change he joins issue with us* on the merits of the Military Service Act. There is no douht what-ever in this Dominion that this particular mea--1 sure has the overwhelming support of the public. That support wa's made manifest all through the agitation which brought the Government to realise their duty in the supreme trial put upon the Empire. If our correspondent were amenable to argument on the matter, we would ask him but to contrast the position of New Zealand and Australia on the matter of military service. Here our men at the front thanks to the Act, are adequately supported. In the' ease of Australia they are not. The stigma of such a condition of affairs is not creditable to a great country like Australia, and it will he seen shortly what the people of that vast territory now think of the matter. The administration of the Military Service Act. from the point- of view of the tribunals dealing with exemptions appears to Ur uniformly fair and considerate, and no disaster is likely to accrue because the. Legislative Council elected to leave well alone in regard to the matter of legalised exemptions. National service for all is the motto which threatens to overtake all parts of the Empire before the war can be concluded satisfactorily. The statesmen at Home have long forecasted it, and the trend of events of late appear to he com J polling in that direction. There is one palpable error in our correspondent’s letter, that referring to the Returned Soldiers Association. This Association is admittedly not a political institution, and Mr. Seymour, the Secretary, has written to the public press denying that the Association is connected with Lieut. Col Hughes’ candidature for the Wellington seat. The returned soldiers in Wellington, will doubtless, sup port, the gallant officer freely, and ho will have strong support from Liberals and Reformers alike, if wo mistake not. Indeed it is on the cards that he might he selected in the end as the National Government candidate.

By a fire at Wftiuta on Saturday, the store formerly owned by Mr. A. Saraty was destroyed. It- was owned and occupied by Mr. George Dransfield, formerly of Inglewood mine. It is notified in this issue that unclaimed stock impounded at Wataroa will be sold at noon on December sth, if not claimed and expenses paid prior to the time stipulated.

The firebell rang out an alarm of fire at 9 o’clock on Saturday morning, at Recfton when it was found to be at Miss Hodgson’s premises in Broadway. The Brigade turned out smartly. The, outbreak, was, however, suppressed with little damage.

At the Magistrate’s Court Greymouth yesterday a man of 64 years of age, charged with attempted self-des-truction at Blackball dn Oct. 31st was brought up and the case remanded to enable his friends to he communicated with. The sum oi £7 -10 s was due to the hospital for treatment in connection with hi s rash actThere was a double star programme at the Princess Theatre last evening when. Mr. Pollard presented Mary Bickford in “The Girl of Yesterday.” and Anita Stewart in “The Girl Phillippa.” These were splendidly staged and proved very enjoyable. The incidental music supplied (piano and violin) added considerably to the enjoyment of patrons.

r |'he “New Zealand Times” states that it is authoritatively assured, in reference to the speculation on the ministerial situation that there is no likelihood of the partfolio of AttorneyGeneral being offered to either Mr. I lanan or 31 r. Wilford when Mr. ITerdinan becomes a judge in January or February next. When the Massey Government was originally formed, the general opinion ia that party was that Sir Francis Bell should become Attor-ney-General. but Mr. Herdman insisted on having the position and especially so in view of his services to the party in the House and on the platform. Therefore, when the vacancy occuro, it will be- offered to Sir Francis Bell who gave way in Mr. Hardman’s favour previously.

“This is the greatest- country in the world from the point of view of the number of lakes and rivers that possess water force.” Thus Sir Joseph Ward at his railway station welcome at Invercargill on Saturday. The Minister had just expressed the hope that lie might by and by see Invercargill linked up with the tremendous water-power of Southland. Because New Zealand’s natural power was unequalled by that of any other country, continued Sir Joseph, and because it wag s 0 elose to the centres, lie believed that, when that power was brought into active work, this would become one of the greatest manufacturing countries in the world. The time must come when water-generated power would he in general use throughout the country, hence his belief that some day every railway train in New Zealand would lie run by such force.

The annual concert of the Convent school pupils has for years past been regarded by everybody as a most enjoyable entertainment-. But- as good as the “by-goncs” have been the concert to lie given in the Princess Theatre tomorrow night promises to be an easy winner, The performers have taken groat pains with rehearsals and no stone has been left unturned to make the long programme a huge success No one should miss the comic duet to he given by the aged couple, at special request—Mr and Mrs O’Sliannessey. Two other special items will he the acting of every child’s first poem “Old Mother Hubbard,” and a performance by a tribe of young Maori Maidens richly adorned with “Tatooes” and coloured mats. Another great attraction will he the items so kindly Ao he contributed by Mr. and Mrs. Ivon .Wilson, Air. P. Fitzgerald (Greymouth) and Mr. Thomas Hogan. In fhis direction past performances will speak for themselves, and, weather permitting a packed house is expected.

E. J. Lloyd favours “No Rubbing” Laundry Help because it has made good. It, delights thrifty housewives and that’s enough for him. He is content to sell at the standard price of •Ik per packet.—Advt. The rich can’t- buy nor the poor desire anything better than Hayward’s MILITARY PICKLE. Always even in quality and moderate in price. All stones. You won’t keep a cold or sore throat above a day or two if you use “NAZOL.” Acts like a charm. Get it today. 60 doses Is 6d. ,