The enemy is showing what may well be the tenacity of despair; but he is losing ground in every sector, and his strongest defensive positions are crumbling visibly before the waves of the Allied assault.
The battle on the Cambrai-St. Quentin front is particularly the centre of attention on account of its furious intensity and of the issues that are at stake.
The actual climax of the war is regarded as at hand. Mr Philip Gibbs, an experienced commentator, suggests that probably the really decisive battle is being fought on the Cambrai front, where the enemy is throwing in all his available strength, fearing that if the British spear-head drives deeper above and below the city he will be forced into full retreat over the open plains, and thus his whole defensive system will be turned.
Hindenburg line crumbles
The United Press correspondent compares the formidable Hindenburg system of defences to a sieve now that it has been riddled by the irresistible onslaught of the Allied forces. It has been cracked at various points at which the British and French troops are pouring through.
Never before, we are told, has there been such a searching test of human endurance as is now being applied. The conflict is of such a frightful character, entailing appalling sacrifices of life and involving stupendous issues, that even from afar it is not possible to contemplate it with any feelings other than those of awe.
But we may count with confidence upon the result being favourable. Already, we are assured, a great victory has been gained by the Allies. And the spread of depression in Germany suggests that no longer are the people of that country being deceived by the news from the battle-fronts.
Mail planes proposed
Sir Joseph Ward, in the course of an interview in the Weekly Dispatch (writes our London correspondent), mentioned that he was in touch with the leading aeroplane manufacturers, and, with the willing assistance of the Royal Air Force, he will be able to take back with him to New Zealand full particulars of everything that will be required in connection with the use of aeroplanes as mail-carriers.
So Joseph said he has worked out the cost, and has come to the conclusion that it will be little, if anything, higher than that of carriage, railway, motor car, or coach, while aeroplanes will be able to travel more than twice as fast as a railway express. Aeroplanes, which will drop their mailbags and fly straight on, will, moreover, save an enormous amount of valuable time.
Five-day week
The institution of a five-day week in some of the factories in Auckland is not a new thing in the industry of the dominion. Mrs A.T. Smith, of 41 Bradshaw Street, South Dunedin, who has a bag-making factory, has worked on this principle for the past 10 years.
Her employees range from five to 20 girls, the latter number being employed in busy times. The girls commence work at 8 a.m., have three-quarters of an hour for lunch, and finish at 5 o'clock.
For the five-day week, therefore, the girls total 41 1/4 hours. Mrs Smith states that the system has always worked satisfactorily.
- ODT, 4.10.1918
COPIES OF PICTURE AVAILABLE FROM ODT FRONT OFFICE, LOWER STUART ST, OR WWW.OTAGOIMAGES.CO.NZ
