The Sun FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 1914. A WAVE OF IMPERIALISM.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 156, 7 August 1914, Page 6

The Sun FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 1914. A WAVE OF IMPERIALISM.

Events of the jiast week on the Continent have inflamed the public mind of the Dominion (as elsewhere) 'with a splendid fighting enthusiasm which, if translated into what may be termed a practical patriotism, Avill result in the New Zealand expeditionary force leaving for its destination at sliorjj notice, and thoroughly equipped. The, demonstrations of loyalty have been! remarkable in their spontaneous • lunaniniity, and, while it betokens a British spirit to sing the Rational Anthem|>on the least provocation, the true patriot will not hesitate to go further aiid (dip into his pocket so that he may express his Imperialism in terms of cash or kind. All over New Zealand offers of men, horses, motor oars, and general equips inent for the local volunteers have come, and are still .'coming, forward. Lady Liverpood has appealed to the women of the Dominion to do their!. share, and there can be no doubt but 'that, 'as' in times past, they will make a brave response. The movement in connection with the sending of the expeditionary force which is to be placed at'the\disposal of the Imperial authorities, has been taken up in this city with a fervour that assures success. A Citizens' Committee has been set up, which will assist by all the means in its power those who have offered their services to the Empire. ."Political, domestic, and industrial differences have been sunk deep, and it is a splendid augury for the future stability and predominance of Great Britain and Greater Britain that in such a crisis men of all creeds ami cults should come together with but one idea: that England is lighting in a just and honourable cause, and her peoples must present a united front to the common' enemy. The call of the Mother Country during the Boer War met with a prompt reply, and now, when the issue is more crucial, more, stupendous, and more terrible, the response is trebly intensified in its patriotism. It is a time for self-sacri-fice and, perhaps, a little self-abase-ment. Thousands of the best young men in the Dominion are clamouring to be allowed to go to the front. They will require equipment and reasonable personal comforts, and those plain citizens who must remain behind, and are j anxious to help, should see to it that the New Zealanders will have these wants supplied. It will save the Government and the Defence Department a great deal of trouble, and the contributors may take credit to themselves that their loyalty is something more than a fleeting, ephemeral emotion. Australia is rising to the occasion as she has ever done. Canada is aflame from the Pacific to the Atlantic with a -spirit that will establish her in British history for all time. Germany, the direct cause of this tremendous demonstration of Imperialism, stands insolently facing a world in arms. The result can hardly be doubted. The Teuton has pressed his ambition for military predominance and aggression too far. And after the cataclysm has

quietened, it may well be that a chastened Emperor will have cause to cry in the words of Augustus Ctesar: "Vare, v-are, legiones reddc." And who will be able to give him back his legions'?