"VERY GOOD."

Auckland Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 68, 20 March 1917, Page 5

"VERY GOOD."

BUT NOT THE END.

SIR JAMES ALLEK OX THE RETREAT. (By Telegraph—Special to "Star.") WELLINGTON, this dajC ! "The news is very good, bat one ought not -to draw the conclusion that this is the sigh of the end," remarked Sir Jas. Allen to your correspondent, apropos of the German retreat. "We don't know 'what they may bo going back to; we must not allow ourselves to slacken off. We miiet keep going to the finish. We only hope it ie the beginning of the end. It ■Iβ very, good so far as it goes. I'm cure there are difficulties before, our men yet. The enemy hae the inner lines of coramanication, and is always shortening the front. I don't want to sound a peashnietic note, because I don't feel it, but I don't want the people to believe it is the end. We must redouble our efforts i now we sec we can beat them, and keep going until ire finish them." The Minister was asked if the Government has matured plane for demobilisation, and replied that these -were -worked out, and are 'being considered by the Staff at the front. The Xational Efficiency Board's efforts are all in that direction, as the Board will continue after ■the war. The Returned Soldiers' Department Trill alee continue till the last man is re-absorbed into civilian life. Mr. Allen declared that there was no better tray to place the soldiers than on the land; therefore the Government iwas paying special attention, to this vital subject. It alao recognised the need for instructing men in town occupations.