RETROSPECT AND PROPHECY

Otago Witness, Issue 3330, 9 January 1918, Page 7

RETROSPECT AND PROPHECY

VIEWS OF THE HON. A. M. MYERS

AUCKLAND, December 31. The outlook for the new year was discussed to-day by Mr Arthur Myers, M.P., who said: "I venture to prophesy that we axe entering upon the last year of the war. The outstanding event of 1917 has been the entrance into the arena of the United States with unlimited resources in wealth and man-power. The record of the British and French armies during the past year has been one of practically unbroken success. We arc advancing ~steadily and surely on the Eastern front, in Palestine, in Mesopotamia, and also the Gorman colonies now in the hands of tho Allies. The British - Navy is absolutely intact, guarding the seaways and ensuring the safe transit of enormous numbers of troops, munitions, equipment, and food supplies. More than any other factor, the navy is sure to guarantee ultimate victory for the Allies. Stocktaking for 1917 reveals that we have meanwhile to debit ourselves with the loss of the co-operation of Russia and Rumania, with populations of 200 millions. We have, on the other hand, to enter on the credit side tho gain of new allies in the United States, China, and the South American republics, with populations of four hundred and eighty millions, and their reserves in wealth and man-power, so that the end of 1917 finds us with a larger balance than ever, on the credit side. We entered the war to vindicate tho principles of liberty and honour, and until those principles are absolutely secured for future generations, wo shall fight on with unbroken will. From all indications, 1918 will see the victorious culmination of the Allies' concerted efforts in the proclamation of an honourable and lasting peace on the terms for which we drew the sword."