So one hears. But whoever says this is mistaken; at the pace we are going we shall infallibly get there. Our progress is not measurable by miles and furlongs; it is to be measured by the losses and discouragements we have inflicted on the enemy. Between April 9, when the Battle of Arras began, and June 4, eight weeks, the British and French together captured more than 66,000 prisoners, 640 guns, and 1250 machine guns. Since June 4, from the taking of Messines to the taking of Windhoek, we have captured more prisoners, more guns and machine guns. All the time Hindenburg and the Hindenburg line have gone back and back, for strategic reasons if you like; anyhow back and back they have gone. It may not be possible to pierce the enemy’s line and roll up his flanks, says Sir William Robertson. But, "if an army does not crack, the nation behind it may crack."
Simple words and plain, but they will bear looking into. — Civis.
Indignation meeting
A meeting for women will be held in Burns Hall to-night under the auspices of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union. The women feel that the revelations recently made in the city about houses of ill-fame are shocking, and that special measures ought to be taken to improve the morals of the community. Resolutions dealing with various aspects of the question will be submitted by lady doctors and other representative speakers.
Tram shelter abuse
A resident of St. Clair, who writes to us on the subject, expresses himself as shocked to see the use to which the tram shelter at the terminus is put, with the result that it is advisable to give it a wide berth, especially at night. He suggests that it would cost little to carry into it a single light from the overhead wires.
Conscription of labour
A question was asked in Parliament yesterday by Mr McCombs on the subject of the possible conscription of labour. He drew the attention of the Prime Minister to two statements by Ministers — one being Mr Russell’s suggestion that it might yet be necessary to conscript labour, and one by Sir Francis Bell, to the effect that the labour people would never favour such a proposal. He asked which was the official view of the Government. Mr Massey replied that this could hardly be said to be an urgent question, and the honourable member should give notice of it. While he hoped the time would not come when it would be necessary to conscript labour, it was possible that Parliament might have to legislate to discourage idleness and compel men to do something to help the country in the crisis through which we were passing.
Spotting shirkers
Few, if any, loopholes are being left to the shirker by the police, and the man who is able to escape the vigilance of the force must of necessity lead a most retired life. Picture show patrons, crowds at fires, roller skaters, have all received attention at one time or other. On Wednesday a line of men in blue stretched across the entrance to the trotting grounds at Addington so that no man might enter before he had answered the queries of the constables regarding his enrolment certificate. It is understood that several racegoers have left their names and addresses with the police. — ODT, 18.8.1917.
• COPIES OF PICTURE AVAILABLE FROM ODT FRONT OFFICE, LOWER STUART ST, OR WWW.OTAGOIMAGES.CO.NZ
