Duration of the War.

Levin Daily Chronicle, 23 October 1917, Page 1

Duration of the War.

MR. C. J. PARR'S OPINION.' An expression of opinion as to the duration of the war was given by Mr C. J.Parr, M.P., at the Auckland Orphans' Club. "I am inclined to think," he said /'that next summer the German power will be smashed. The enemy has been 'bluffing' for a draw, for a pcace which will leave him where he was. He has been hoping for a division among the Allies, leaving him to escape punishment. That is the attitude of the Germans to-day. Next summer will iind Great Britain at the top of her fighting form, which it has taken three years to attain. General Haig is now delivering his 'hammer' blows and is striking the enemy with all his might. Next summer the American Army will take the field in full strength, and the allies will have the assistance of 4000 or 5000 American aeroplanes piloted by the most dashing airmen in the world. They will carry death and destruction into the heart of Germany. (Hear, hear.) I shall be disappointed if Germany has not been driven out of Belgium and France by next summer. When the allied forces are once over the border, it will be a cry of 'Kamerad.' Though the hour is dark, it must be remembered that our nation and race has always been at its best when the hour is darkest. Our groat-grand-l'atliers fought for 10 years against the tyranny of Napoleon ,and the nation then was in a far worse plight than it is to-day. Shall we be less courageous than our forbears in the hour of trial? I am sure of the Dominions. Twelve months ago a New Zealamler went to England and gazed not upon the ruins of an Empire as had been prophesied by the enemy, but upon the heart of Britain in the hour of the Empire's greatest glory. He looked upon a united Empire—Great Britain and her Dominions—the greatest Empire the world has ever known." (Applause.)