THE FRONT VISITED.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 July 1918, Page 3

THE FRONT VISITED.

BY NEW ZEALAND MINISTERS

(Special from tho Official War Correspondent). .

July 1. i Mr W. F. Massey and Sir Joseph j Ward arrived at the Headquarters of the New Zealand Division on tho Western front on Saturday evening. They lost no timo In getting in touch with tho men of the division, for after their long journey by train, ship and cat they attended a performance given in the late afternoon by the divisional theatricals. The scene was a memorable one. The stage was set in a natural amphitheatre, in beautiful woods and in the interval of tho performance, to the accompaniment of the booming of the guns, the great crowd of soldiers listened to the messages that these ambassadors had brought to their soldiers

from tho furthermost part of the Empire. For the moment this wood in Franco, becafne a little bit of New Zealand, and the spirit of democracy inI vaded a portion of Republican France ! that not so far back in history had been ! part of the ducal demesne. This friendly | spirit of democracy was evidenced in the good-natured interjections with which speeches were punctuated and in calls of “Bill” and “Joe’’ that arose from thr soldiers’ audience. An English visitor was struck with tho heartiness and informality of the proceedings and the interest taken in the visit. The excel lencc of the performance surprised the visitors.

i In a speech during the interval, M Massey said he would be very pleased to listen to any grievances the men bHe added that lie was intensely proud of tho splendid recorcTth© division had pu* up, and he could tell them that the people of New Zealand would not go back upon their soldiers, but would stand by them and see that they were property reinforced. After the war was over the felt that New Zealand would be proud not only of what lind been done by her soldiers, but also of what bad been done for her soldiers. Sir Joseph Ward expressed great pleas tire at seeing so many New /.ealantlers under such strange circumstances. Even in New Zealand he had not seen so large a gathering of New Zealanders for a long time. The scene made one realise to what a great- extent New Zealand had helped and he felt sure, they would continue in this determined spirit until the great victory had been won. There had been some criticism about tho Ministers taking a trip round the world, but he assured them that trip was undertaken purely in the interests of the Empire and if they had not undertaken the journey New Zealand would have been entirely unrepresented at the most important conferences in tho crisis in the Empire’s history. At the conclusion of their addresses both speakers wore heartily applauded In the evening the Ministers dined with the general in command of the div-

ision. AT A CHURCH PARADE. The Ministerial party were- early astir on Sunday to attend the church parade of one of tho infantry battalions. Tho scene was an impressive one, as* the troops paraded in the open with the great expanse ol sunlit rolling downs and woods around. Addiessing the troops, Mr. Massey said Sir Joseph Ward and himself had come on a very important mission. They were representing New Zealand in conferences in which previously the dominions had no say. it brought home to one what New Zealand as really doing when he was able to see such a largo number oi men on parade at tho front. He was especially pleased to see present members of an Auckland regiment, many of whom had come from his own district and with whom lie was personally acquainted, and he could assure them that New Zealand wanted her men back again, but she was determined to keep the division properly maintained and reinforced, until a satisfactory victory was attained. New Zealand’s effort in the war was second proportionately only to that of England herself. lie was glad to be able to tell them that the feeling in England was even more optimistic than it was a few weeks ago, and if wo held our own during the next few months we could look forward to a satisfactory ending to the war. He wished to tell them that Now Zealand would stand by her returned soldiers. Meantime her message was “Carry on.” As to the future, he said emphatically that Germany should never again be allowed to get the footing she had before in the British Empire. The German must go out and keep out. Sir Joseph Ward said they were fully determined they would never yield to the. cnonn- 4 and so far_as qur troops were concerned they might rest assured that nothing would bo left undone by America and our other Allies to enoble them to win out. On their return to New Zealand, the. Ministers wiuld be able to convey to the people some idea of the fine appearance of her men in the field, and what splendid work they had done, in stopping the gap in the line during the recent German advance. All in New Zealand would like to see them back in their own country, but not until an end had Been made of Prussian militarism.

,• Visits were paid to the Machine-gun Battalion, the Maori Battalion, and the Engineers. Brief speeches were made in each case, and the Maoris returned the compliment with their war dance.

PART OF THE RIFLE BRIGADE INSPECTED.

Monday was a. vry busy day, the Ministers travelling in motors over miles of dusty roads and through small French villages in order to see as many units of the division as possible. At | the end of a long and tiring day they had personal interviews with many offi- | pers and men who came to Headquarters for this purpose. The day began with an inspection of part of the Rifle Brigade, which was ou parade on the edge of picturesque wood flunked by fields of wheat and rye. The Premier recalled the historic parallel of troops bivouacking in rye fields on the eve of Waterloo and expressed ! the hope that on this occasion also j victory would rest with our troops and | their Allies. Ho said the-appearance of 1 the troops spoke well for the quality of ; the Army rations and the ability of the men to enjoy them. He congratulated tho parade on its record, than which non© was better. Wo were at a crisis in This war, the length of which wont’ depend largely upon whether we were able to holcHlie Gormans in the coming ’ offensive. He felt sure if the enemy failed to break through lie would corno to the conclusion that it urns no use going on. This was not tho time ! v any weakening on our side. '• ONE OF THE SUPER-DIVISIONS, j Sir Joseph Ward said that among tho

J divisions in the British army there were tame that were known as super-divisions and Me" was told by a high authority that among these was included the New Zealand Division. All spoke well of the New Zealand soldiers, and what- they had done in the war would undoubtedly stand out prominent in the history otheir country. In the coming clash the world would be looking on with bated breath, and be was pleased to say thresponsible men regarded the situation with a considerable degree of confidence. Subsequently the Ministers bad an o portunity of seeing the troops carry out a tactical exorcise in the open country. The afternoon was spent in visiting the Field Ambulance, the Divisional Train, and tho Entrenching Group. j