DURATION OF THE WAR.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 July 1917, Page 7

DURATION OF THE WAR.

OUR MINISTERS' OPINIONS. ; ANOTHER YEAR 'PROBABLE. "We are v. inning the war," was the key-note of tbe addresses of both the Right Hon. W. E. Massey and Sir Joseph Ward at Auckland on arrival, though • they would not venture any prophecy as 1 ( to when the end would come. Extreme i optimism pervaded every sentence of their utterances. The Germans, said Mr. Massey, were trying to make the allies so weary of war as to be ready to make terms. That fact alone, he thought, (would carry the war beyond the coming European winter. But by fighting for time, Germany Would allo.w the American troops to come into the operations, and also a Government to be established in Russia ■ that would be able to carry on the war more successfully. Nfcxt season we would also get a great deal of help from the United States, and more assistance than at present from Canada and Australia, while some of the smaller nations would probably come in. He was sanguine enough to hope that if the war went beyond the present season, next year would see the end of it. If an attempt were made to arrange" for peace now, added the Prime Minister, Germany's first condition would be the return of her colonies. Was New Zealand willing to give back Samoa? (Cries of "No!") He thought not. Neither was Australia willing to give back what was formerly German New Guinea, or South Africa to yield German East or West Africa or the Cameroons. Germany would also want to bold the country she now occupied in Europe. Then as to post-war conditions), industrial and commercial, it was known that Germany was already preparing for a commercial war, to commence as soon as the present hostilities ended. Ke believed Britain would be able co deal with it when the time arrived. 'For many generations Germany would be Britain's bitter enemy, as she attributed all her disappointments to Britain. If she ever got a chance to deal our Empire a death-blow, she would take it. TJiat opportunity must not Ibe given. Britain was to-day the senior partner in the Entente. Without her the 'war would not last a month. If she dropped out it would end. Britain must lead, and keep on leading. The courage and en- . durance of tbe British people bad been tested, but he believed they would yet be tested even more severely. But the first and last consideration with each of us—of the whole community, collectively and individually—must be to win the' war.