Untitled

Hokitika Guardian, 27 August 1918, Page 2

The New Zealanders are fighting with great distinction with General Byng’s British force. Tho Third Army under General Haig’s command is led hv General Byng who won a notable victory last year when the British forced their way forward nearly to Cambari. The achievement, however, was short-lived, as an unexpected counter attack by the enemy threw back the British with confusion, Gough’s command breaking badly as tho eager enemy forces poured through. Tho cable nows last Friday gave particulars of General Byng’s recent advance which, for some time, as it is some days ago since they took Ilcbuterne. This was their jumping-off point in tho now attack representing the second battle of tho Ancre. In the latest- onslaught, wo aro told 'the Now Zealanders held a distinguished ‘-place. The Dominion troops emulated the fine fighting record of the Australians which stands so high . An impartial war correspondent says “there is hardly anything to choose between them.” While we feel proud of our men, wo must not forget they aro not- numerically strong. They can bold but a fraction of the front. Good work, no less valuable is being done bv other troops and all must share in the fruits of the victory the British arms are gathering to their credit. Since the first entry of the New Zealanders they have won the highest credit for their part in the war, and their remarkable showing assists the country to stand high in the favour and esteem of the onlookiug world which has at least discovered where and what JsTow Zealand i«.

Sin Joseph Ward, like In's present political chief, is winding up his stay in the Homeland with some plain and

esnsicie' remarks on cr.a new enter of things in process of creation by the war.. Naturally as the Minister of Finance, Sir Joseph Ward has an eye to the future trade of the Dominion, which.will bo the tangible asset to assist the country to meet its heavy obligations incurred as a result of the war. He is looking forward to an Empire partnership bound together by ties more tangible than sentiment. Trading and commercial relations within tho Empire must necessarily ho more intimate than they have been hitherto. Sir Joseph put it admirably when he said: “We hold New Zealand in trust for Great Britain.” As an integral part of the Empire it will be to the interests of Britain to foster trading relations with her daughter States. The war has revealed how much Great Britain is dependent upon her oversea Dominions in time o? necessity. To prepare for such another eventuality it were well'to take an interest in the over sea countries in times of full and plenty. This is the suggestion of Sir Joseph Ward. Our first attention must he to the Empire and then to the Allies. Of the latter, America is our nearest neighbour and should be our richest trader. The degree of preference must be first for our kith and kin, and then for our friendly and reliable neighbours. New Zealand will have a great market in post-war times because her primary products will for a period to come he in great demand. That trade should first he at the disposal of those who with ourselves have stood up to tho enemy and made freedom of intercourse a possible national condition for the future.