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Hokitika Guardian, 5 November 1918, Page 2

Titk disappearance of Austria leaves Germany alone and friendless. In such a plight the arch conspiring enemy cannot last long ns a belligerent. The rot, of revolution appears to ho appearing already in Germany and with the enemy now approaching the gates, the great, proud military nation must soon sue for peace on any terms obtainable. Her fate, too, will be welldeserved, for Germany it was which engineered the Great War by instigating Austria to push Serbia into the strife. The collapse of Germany will be hastened bv the lastest war event. If Germany delays in making up her mind, the Allied aerial service will help to quicken, the enemy people to a dearer understanding of the position. Tile aircraft are doing great work in the enemy territory already. The ready access to he obtainable now through Austria to the very borders of Eastern Germany, will bring Dresden. Leipzig ,and Berlin within easy range of the bombers and the home folk will he receiving an idea of what war is. It is well that they should neceive a dose —a liberal dose—of the terrors put upon other people. Best of all, the bombing will cany to them the message and conviction* that their nation is a beaten nation, beaten at. the game of war in which they held themselves to be so superior. Their military pride and arrogance will have its fall, and they will come to realise that might does not always supersede right, and that victory does not go always to the big battalions. Germany has its, lesson to learn and like Austria will learn it at a costly price to the nation.

Tun war is drawing to a close, but it hns lasted long enough for something 1 very wonderful, namely that New Zealand, this outpost- of the British Empire has produced the finest soldiers oil the Wesferu Front. When the war broke out, New Zealand signalled its activities by being the first country to capture enemy territory. It was on i August 29th., 1914, that German Samoa was occupied by New Zealanders, j It is a far cry back to those stirring days, but few will forget the eager- ( ness with which the men of New Zealand volunteered for active service and | were ready to cross the seas at the call of the Empire. Our Expeditionary Force, the Main Body, sailed in duo course and was halted in Egypt. Then on the 25th., April, 1915, came that splendid achievement, the Anzac landing at Galli’poli. Thai feat. alone stamped the New Zealanders for what they wore worth. They have gone on adding' to their laurels over since, and now they have won the highest praise that is their credit. Their success is due to their snuutness and efficiency, the essentials of true discipline. The praise showered upon them is in keeping with the record shown to have been put up by the Defence Department- under the critical eye of a recent Royal Commission.. The credit and renown won by our brave soldier boys goes to the honour and glory of New Zealand. The Dominion will be known far and wide for the distinction it lias gained in. a. competition in which the whole Empire were unsuspecting competitors Having won this high honour, having done so much for this country and for the cause the men are- fighting for what is the Dominion going to do in return? The men who have achieved so much are worthy everything that can be done for them.