VICTORY WRITTEN ON OUR BANNERS.

Colonist, Volume LVII, Issue 14195, 6 June 1916, Page 7

VICTORY WRITTEN ON OUR BANNERS.

[ United Pkess Association. ]

Wellington, June 5. "I know those Northern octets, and I can imagine-;the ■engagement as it occurred," said" Sir , Rider Haggard, speaking of 'the naval battle, at the civic reception tendered to him to-day. He'said he could . sep the, low-lyiptig coast, ajid the misty, stormy,seas; tor-pedo-boats tempting,.the enemy ; out; then, the rush of the enemy tattle ■squadron to meet our .numerically weaker 'and lighter fleet, a desperate .obscures its retreat, 'throwing out ink the night, and an ■ unequal tight-until morning; and finally the approach of the British battle squadron land the flight of the enemy, leaving, the sea covered with wreckage and with tiie dead. "The Germans claim a victory. It. is .a. lie. Do victorious fleets rush, as fast- as. steam can force them back to the shelter of their own mine fields and their own harbours.? By that f3,ct alone,"' said Sir Rider Haggard, "wo know that it is a lie. As a cuttlefish obsseures its retreat, throwing out ink around it, so the Germans obscure their retreat with the ink of lies. Although our squadron met the full weight of their navy, although many of our ships were destroyed, yet it was victory that we wrote on our banners after 'thto.t unequal fight for Old England and the' Empire. There remained after this terrible fray victory and pride, and for our dead an immortal wreath of glory." (Loud appleu.se.)