TOWNSHEND'S SURRENDER.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11686, 1 May 1916, Page 6

TOWNSHEND'S SURRENDER.

MR. BASSETS VIEWS. [Pun Press Association.] WELLINGTON, May 1. . A brief statement on the reverse in Mesopotamia was made to-day by the , : Prime Minister. j "There is no disguising the fact, * j said Mr Massey, ,; that the news from ' i is bad. bnt we have to re- ' member that we cannot expect to get I through a great war. such as this withj out reverses. There is no doubt that ! GeneraI 1 'llownshcnd and his troops have ; done everything possible under the oir- ; cumstanees. surrendering only when ! there was nothing else left for them !to do. The full story of their en- | durance has yet to be- told, and we . ! shall iind when it comes to hand that i there has been nothing done which will ' in :iny way tend to the discredit of the ; Army or the Empire. * ; "As British citizens no must on no f J account allow ourselves to be discour--1 ; aged by what has taken place. On . ' the contrary, wo.should be stimulated ,- ■to fresh efforts. A reverse such as , t'ui< should only strengthen i.-nr deteri ruination u> win at any cost, and J 1 ■ sm confident it will have that effect. . ; Wr l;:ive r.nken up the burden of IJni- : pire and must carry it willingly ;ind | cheerfully. No douhi ;lu> enemy arc : elated over what they will boast of ■ a> an important victory, but our answer I must be to fill up the gaps by sending I troop-- and still more troops from every i part; of the Empire to whore they are I most urgently required." SEPARATION ALLOWANCE. I?!<A IUTI'IMi BOARD'S SIT.GENTiO\. | , j [Pv.n Pkess Association. 1 ' | WKLUN(;TON. May 1. | ihe I! ecru i ting 'Board to-clav decided f i.i recommend Oabimu. ihal: the sopara- , lion ijilowfiricp fhoiild apply to families o.' "ive iuste;i.:l of families of four, and should be Is fid ner week for ,-u-h /.Lil.-I