THE PRESS DELEGATION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1911, 5 December 1918, Page 3

THE PRESS DELEGATION.

AN INTERESTING TOUR

BRITAIN’S WAR ACTIVITIES

Five members of the New Zealand Press Delegation, who have been on a visit to Britain, at the invitation of the British Minister for Information, were passengers by the Makura. The delegation comprises: —Mr George Fenwick, chairman, managing director of the Otago Daily Times, Dunedin; the Hon. W. J. Geddis, M.L.C., editor of the New Zealand Times, Wellington; Mr R. M. Hacket, editor of the New Zealand Herald; Mr C. W. Earle, editor of the Dominion,. Wellington; Mr M. L. Reading, editor of the Lyttelton Times, Christchurch; and Mr F. Pirani, proprietor of the Star, Feilding, remained in England, and did not arrive with the other delegates. Nine of the Australian press delegates returned by the Makura.

In the earlier days of the tour a visit was made to the Grand Elect in (lie,Firth of Forth, and the great lines of battleships, cruisers, destroyers, submarines, and other component parts of the navy, were passed under review. The New Zealand section of the delegation was taken on board the battle-cruis-er New Zealand, and its members wer.o cordially received by the commander and his principal officers. After an inspection of the great warship, the visitors were entertained at luncheon by the commander and officers. Many of the famous battleships of the Navy were passed, and a profound impression was left on the minds of the delegates.

A few miles from Glasgow two great munitions factories were visited. One of these was largely devoted to the manufacture of marine engines and other work of a heavy kind. It is a vast concern, employing 10,000 hands, and is typical of other great factories engaged on war work throughout the Kingdom. The National Projectile Company’s works, which employ 4,000 hands, 2,000 of whom are girls, were next visited. There nothing but shells were made.

On their return journey the delegation passed through Carlisle, where the Liquor Control Board Ims on hand an interesting experiment in State control of the liquor trade. It has purchased several hotels, and these are being run under competent management. With the elimination of private profit the sale of drink has been largely reduced. The hotels are comfortable and quietly attractive, and it is claimed that, so, far, a considerable measure of success has resulted from the experiment.

Near Manchester the delegates visited another large munitions works, where 10,000 hands are employed. A great'diversity of work was being turned out, including magnetos, mid it is hoped that the manufacture of this item of electrical equipment will not again drift away from England, as it had done before the war. A feature of the work carried on was the restoration of big guns sent over from the battlefields after they bad become unfit for further use until rebored and repaired. NEW ZEALAND ORGANISATION.

Visit's that were made to the New Zealand military hospitals at Wal-ton-on-Thames and Brockenhurst, to the great training camps of Codford and Sling on Salisbury Plain, and to the special hospitals and educational centres at Hornchurch, Sidcup, and Roehampton, disclosed the great care that is being taken of the New Zealand troops, and the strong and intelligent efforts that are being made to equip the men with vocations that will enable them again to takp their places in civil life. Surprising results have been attained, especially in the cases of men who have lost limbs or been maimed in other ways.

The delegates had many opportunities of discussing important matters with members of Hie Cnvermnent and other well-known public men, and acquired much knowledge through ibis personal contact with leading men of the Kingdom that would not otherwise have been readily obtainable. They also had many meetings with men at the head of such organisations as the Y.M.C.A., New Zealand War Contingent Association, Rod Cross, and Salvation Army, and they are satislied that very fine work has bemi, and is. being done, by these active associations. It cannot be questioned that the Dominion’s troops have benefited enormously by the untiring humanitarian efforts of those bodies.

WITH THE ARMIES IN FRANCE

The member* of (he delegation describe their visit to France and (lie battlefronts as one of intense interest. they saw from several vantage points active hostilities proceeding between the Allies and the enemy, and were on a battlefield where but a few hours previously the Germans had been driven from, their emplacements and dug-outs by New Zealand troops. Evidences of the carnage still lay around, and fighting was in progress not many hundreds of yards away. Many acquaintances among the New Zealand troops were met, and messages received for relations and friends in the Dominion. In the course of their tour of the battle areas the delegates had the pleasure of meeting Sir Douglas Haig, General Lawrence, Chief of Staff, General Horne, Commander of the First Army, General Russell, who commands the New Zealand Division. All spoke in the highest terms of the New Zealand ti'oops. The delegates also met President Poincaire and M. Clemenceau, each of whom spoke on

the war, and the inflexible resolve of France that there should be no peace until Germany had been absolutely beaten and compelled to accept the Allies’ terms. In even the most circumscribed account of their tour, the delegates say room must be found for reference to the whole-hearted manner in which women have taken their share in -Britain’s war work. It has been an inspiration to the other sex. Nor can any one class of the community claim special credit in respect of this. SOME FEATURES OF THE TOUR.

On Hip sot-in 1 side of the delegates’ visit, first in point of interest and honour must he placed their presentation to the King and Queen and Princess Mary at Windsor Castle, There was an entire absence of restraint at this pleasant meeting, and Their Majesties conversed freely with the members of the delegation; and took great interest in (lie questions that were discussed. Afternoon tea in the castle brought to a close the very pleasant and inter-, esting hour or two spent there. There were many public' luncheons and dinners, at which important questions of the day were discussed by hosts and visitors alike. Not the least interesting of these were dinners given by the Lord Provosts and City Councillors of Edinburgh and, Glasgow, Belfast and Dublin, and dinners or luncheons by various public' bodies in Liverpool, Manchester, Bristol, Bath, Carlisle, and other jdaees. Among these was a large luncheon given by the Hand-ley-Page Company, after a visit to their great aerodrome, a few miles out of London, cm which occasion the delegates made an ascent to a considerable height in some of the splendid aeroplanes owned by the company.

A visit to Ireland, too, was an occasion of much interest. Luncheons and dinners and meetings with public men and prominent members of the Sin Fein took place at Dublin and Belfast, at which speeches and conversations on Irish topics weru features.

The last official function was (he farewell luncheon given by- Lord Beaverbrook, at which the Minister made an impressive and telling speech, responded to on behalf of the New Zealand delegation by the chairman, Mr G. Fenwick, who thanked the Minister and his' staff for all the courtesy, kindness and attention the delegates had received at their hands.