DOMINION'S TROOPS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume IV, Issue 964, 14 March 1917, Page 7

DOMINION'S TROOPS.

AN INTERESTING EVENTMINISTER'S CONGRATULATIONS. From the N.Z Official V.'ar Correspondent. LONDON, March 9. i x An interesting historic event took place on the British front to-day, when the Rt. Hon. Walter Long, Secretary of State for the Colonies, accompanied by the Parliamentary Secretary (Mr A. 11. D. R. Steel-Mait-land) paid a visit to the New Zealand forces in the field. One brigade and representatives of all the other units were drawn up on a tree-lined road in Northern France. On arriving on the scene Mr Walter Long, accompanied by Lieut.-General Sir Alexander Godley, was met by Major-General Sir Andrew Russell, commanding the Division, and the party proceeded on foot along the line. Mr Long keenly observed each unit and shook hands with all officers down to company commanders. Afterwards a lengthy column marched past to the music of the bands, making a highly impressive sight. The men were in marching kit and looked splendid. During the parade a Boche airman, flying unusually low, attempted to come over the road, but a perfect fusillade from our anti-air guns blocked his progress, and one shot, bursting close, made him retreat hurriedly. We could hear the cases of the shells whistling down into an adjacent field. The party afterwards visited the divisional baths, which put through from 1000 to 1500 men per day, tbe wash-house where 150 French women are constantly employed in washing the socks, shirts, towels, of the Division, the mending and drying rooms, and the field ambulance. The Pioneers, including the Maoris, were also inspected. Finally the party saw the dentists and dental mechanics at work. Our dentists have already made thousands of stoppings and dentures. All this proved highly interesting. In conversation afterwards Mr Long freely admitted that he was greatly affected with the thought that a little country like New Zealand should send such a splendid force so many thousands of miles to light in a foreign land. He gladly gave me the following message for the people of New Zealand:— I was enormously impressed by the fine physique and fitness of all ranks and their grim determination that is the secret of success. lam sure if the people of New Zealand could see them as I saw them to-day, they would feel as I did, that the Empire that can command such resources must have not only victory before it but even a greater place in the world than ever before. Speaking generally, I feel perfectly confident that with the troops we have, led as they are led, our efforts can end only in one way. The end has been postponed because Germany is a determined fighter, but the immense resources he is up against, and still more our determination, must convince him that he must suffer defeat. In my judgment our resources are infinite, and sooner or later the enemy will realise this. The great cause that has brought us together in the defence of our Empire and of the freedom and justice and protection for minorities, is already receiving almost worldwide recognition.