IN FRANCE.

Northern Advocate, 13 July 1918, Page 4

IN FRANCE.

NEW ZEALAND MINISTERS.

ADDRESS TO DOMINION TROOPS

(From Captain Malcolm Ross, Official Correspondent with the New Zealand Forces in the Field.)

FRANCE, July 1. Mr W. F. Massey and Sir Joseph

Ward arrived at the Headquarters of the New Zealand Division on the Western front on Saturday evening. They lost no time in getting in touch with the men of the division, for after their long journey by train, ship, and car, they attended a performance given in the late afternoon by the divisional theatricals. The scene was a memorable one. The stage was set in a natural amphitheatre in beautiful woods, and in the interval of the performance, to the accompaniment of the booming of the guns, the great crowd of soldiers listened to the message that these ambassadors had brought to their soldiers from the furthermost part of the Empire. For the moment this wood in France became a little bit of New Zealand, and the spirit of democracy invaded a portion of Republican France that not so far back in history had been part of a ducal demesne. This friendly spirit of democracy was evidenced in the good-natured interjections with which speeches were punctuated, and in calls of "Bill" and "Joe" that arose from the soldier audience. An English visitor was struck with the heartiness and informality of the proceedings, and the interest taken in the visit. The excellence of the performance surprised the visitors. AN IMPRESSIVE SCENE. The Ministerial Party was early I astir on Sunday to attend the church parade of one of the infantry battalions. The scene was an impressive one, as the troops paraded in the open with the great expanse of sunlit rolling down and woods around. Addressing the troops, Mr Massey said Sir Joseph Ward and himself had come on a very important mission. They were representing New Zealand in conferences in which previously the Dominions had had no say. It brought home to one what New Zealand was really doing when he was able to see such a large number of men on parade at the front. He was especially pleased to see present members of an Auckland Regiment, many of whom had come from his own district and- with whom he was personally acquainted, and he could assure them that New Zealand wanted her men back again, but she was determined to keep the division properly maintained and reinforced . until a satisfactory victory was attained. New Zealand's effort in the war was second, proportionately, only to that of England herself. He was glad to be able to tell them that the feeling in England was even more optimistic than it was a few weeks ago, and that if we held our own during the next few months we could look forward to a satisfactory ending of the war. He wished to tell them that New Zealand would stand by her returned soldiers. Meanwhile her message was "Carry on." As to the future, he said emphatically that Germany should never again be allowed to get the footing she had before in the British Empire. The Germans must go out and keep out. In a speech during the interval, Mr Massey said he would be very pleased

to listen to any grievances the men had. He added that he was intensely proud of the splendid record the Division had put up, and he could tell them that the people of New Zealand would not go back upon their soldiers, but would stand by them and see that they were properly reinforced. After the war was over he felt that New Zealand would be proud, not only of what had been done by her soldiers, but also of what had been done for her soldiers.

"THIS DETERMINED SPIRIT."

Sir Joseph Ward expressed great pleasure at seeing so many New Zealanders under such strange circumstances. Even in New Zealand he had not seen so large a gathering of New Zealanders for a long time. The scene made one realise to what a great extent New Zealand had helped, and he felt sure they would continue in this determined spirit until the great victory* had been won. There had been some criticism about the Ministers taking a trip round the world, but he assured them that trip was undertaken purely in the interests of the Empire, and if they had not undertaken the journey New Zealand would have been entirely unrepresented at the most important conferences in the crisis in the Era-

pire's history.

At the conclusion of their addresses, both speakers were heartily applauded.

In the evening'the Ministers, dined with the General in Command of the

Division

UNITY OF ALLIES

Sir Joseph Ward said they were fully determined they would never yield to the enemy, and so far as our troops were concerned they might rest assured that nothing would be-left undone by America and our other Allies to enable them to win out. On their return to New Zealand, the Ministers would be able to convey to the people some idea of the fine appearance of her men in the field, and what splendid work they had done in stopping the gap in the line during the recent German advance. All in New Zealand would like to see them back in their own country, but not until an end had been made of Prussian militarism.

Visits were paid to the Machinegun Battalion, the Maori Battalion, and the Engineers. Brief speeches were made in each case, and the Maoris returned the compliment with their war dance.

Monday was a very busy day, the Ministers travelling in motors over miles of dusty roads and through small French villages, in order to see as many units of the division as possible. At the end of a long and tiring dajf they had personal interviews with many officers and men who came to headquarters for this purpose.

The day began with an inspection of part of the Rifle Brigade, which was on parade on the edge of a picturesque wood flanked by fields of wheat and rye. The Premier recalled the historic parallel of troops

oao aq} uo spi_ij oAj; vi SuppenoAiq of Waterloo, and expressing the hope that on this occasion also victory

jiaift pue sdocr; .mo ujjiay Allies. He said the appearance of oiri joi n 9AV 9iiods sdoo.r; qvs of' the Army rations and the ability of the men to enjoy them. He congratulated the brigade on its record, than which none was better. We were at a crisis in the war, the length of which would depend largely upon

aq; ppq 04 ajqu aaaAY bay Germans in the coming offensive. He felt sure, if the enemy failed to break through, he would come to the

SuioS asn ou sbav }t uoisnjouoo on.' This was not the time for any

weakening on our side

Suouic $x>.m Ps«s vjlu__ qdasof Jig the divisions in the British Army there were some that were known as super-divisions, and he was told by asaqq. Suouiu qSiq t? were included the New Zealand Division. All spoke well of the New Zealand soldiers, and what they had done in the war would undoubtedly stand out prominently in the history of their country. In the coming clash the world would be looking on with bated breath, and he was pleased to say that responsible men regarded the situation with a considerable degree of confidence.

Subsequently the Ministers had an opportunity of seeing the troops carry out a tactical exercise in open country. The afternoon was spent in visiting the Field Ambulance, the

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