Germans 'not yet weary of the game'

For about three months, the Germans have now been hammering away at the French lines at Verdun and other points, and they are apparently not yet weary of the game. They may deem it expedient to proceed on the principle that attack is the best form of defence. Perhaps they cannot resign themselves to an admission that their great offensive in the west has failed. German success at Verdun was to pave the way for a decisive blow which would leave the Allies reeling and shattered. But the Allies are determined that it shall be against Germany and not against themselves that the decisive stroke shall be delivered, and when the initiative has finally passed from the enemy their hour will come. In France it is doubtless true that in a sense the Allies are imposing their will upon the Germans at the present time. The attainment of this result represents an achievement that we may well pause to contemplate. Negative in a sense, its importance is yet incalculable. The Allies owe it to the magnificent valour of the French in barring the way which the enemy has sought to plough through Verdun. In the strenuous fighting that has been raging on the Western front for three months past we have seen how France, prepared and confident, has been able to meet the most formidable attack. Her resoluteness, unpalatable and embarrassing as it has been to the enemy, has yet compelled the admiration of foes as well as of friends. France has again manifested in heroic measure in the defence of Verdun that spirit of courage and devotion which has evoked the praises of all who have had opportunity of observing her attitude since her people were first confronted with a German invasion nearly two years ago.

Aerial fighting is a feature of the operations on the Meuse. There are daily fights, not duels, but elaborate battles between large squadrons. There are manoeuvres for the proper light and wind and the height at which to open fire with a broadside effect the moment the enemy are sighted. All previous records have been broken. The French chasing monoplanes have risen from the ground to a height of 3500ft in six minutes, while the French biplanes ascend to 7000ft in 11 minutes.

It was reported at the meeting of the Drainage Board last night that on the afternoon of Sunday week some maliciously disposed person removed the gratings from 11 mud tanks in Oxford street, South Dunedin, and in all cases dropped them down the tanks. The following day several more were removed in different streets. The matter was becoming serious, as in the darkness an accident might easily happen. There had been trouble over the same matter before. The secretary said that the proceeding was a dangerous one, and he would be pleased if the board would have inquiries made with a view to prosecuting the offender. This was agreed to.

As a measure of precaution in the interests of public health, and with the view of affording satisfactory assurances to the community, we understand that a proposal will be made at the next meeting of the District Council of the United Federation of Labour that a medical examination of all workers engaged in the manufacture of food products is desirable. An initial step in this direction has, we are informed, been taken, the Cordial Workers' Union having made arrangements, with the unanimous consent of the men concerned, whereby such examination of the employees of Messrs Thomson and Co. will be held next week. - ODT, 25.5.1916