The New Zealand Tablet THURSDAY, MAY 6, 1915. THE NEW ZEALANDERS IN ACTION

New Zealand Tablet, 6 May 1915, Page 33

The New Z ealand Tablet THURSDAY, MAY 6, 1915. THE NEW ZEALANDERS IN ACTION

OR the People of New Zealand the news of , 16 week has been the intimation that ‘ our WuM! boys ’’ in com P aii y with the Australian troops, have received their baptism of fire | lll the important operations at the Dardanelles, and that they have come through the . ordeal with the greatest distinction, their splendid gallantry and magnificent achievement’ being the subject of special messages of congratulation from the King, the Admiralty, and the British Government. Every one, of course, who knows the stuff of which the New Zealand lads are made, confidently expected that they would acquit themselves with credit, but they, appear to have exceeded even the most sanguine anticipations; and when the British Admiralty, which is accustomed to weigh its words, finds itself constrained to employ such superlatives as ‘ splendid ’ and ‘ magnificent,’ it may safely be inferred that the New Zealanders have done superbly well. The people of the Dominion wholeheartedly rejoice ip their success, and are genuinely Proud of the way in which they have upheld the honor and good name of their country. Full details of the opeiations are not yet available but we know that the colonial troops effected a landing in the face of unusual and extraordinary difficulties, that they triumphantly repulsed a series of fierce and-determined attacks, and that the close of the fighting found them carrying on a vigorous and effective offensive. They were given the position of honor and of danger; and they proved themselves worthy of the trust reposed in them. They have won their spurs; and their achievement in this, their first time of testing, may be taken as a prelude to even greater things to come. Up to the time of writing, the full casualty list has not been published, and the country is naturally in a state of keen suspense, Such fighting as our men have gone through cannot be carried out without corresponding losses; and our people will bear their bereavements in the spirit of fortitude and endurance which the men themselves have so conspicuously shown. Now, at least, we will realise that we are really at war; and the sooner this simple fact is fully recognised, the sooner will the supreme effort be made which is necessary to bring the struggle to a close.