RECRUITING ADDRESS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 66, 17 March 1916, Page 3

RECRUITING ADDRESS.

BY REV. JASPEK CALDER.

There was a large crowd around the recruiting station in Victoria Street last night, when the Rev. Jasper Calder delivered an address. The speaker s address led to a considerable response being made to his appeal to enlut. During his remarks a rather humorous incident occurred, which ended to the satisfaction of both parties concerned. The speaker, in basing his address upon the word "Anzac," introduced incidents to illustrate each letter. He pointed out that Australia (A) and New Zealand (N and Z) only a couple of yeare ago, were engaged in hated rivalry, which eometimes became unnecessarily hitter. But now the call of Empire had united the two in a bond of friendship, not only closer to each other, but also closer to the Mother Country in her titanic struggle against bullying militarism. But we had to go on, as the next letter (A) meant attrition, which could only be brought about by hurrying on with bull-dog grip. The last letter (C) represented the call of righteousness and the call of Britain seeking ■ for more men. At this juncture a man in the crowd called out, "Why don't you go "yourself!" Mr. Calder replied: "Look here, old eport, I'm just breaking my neck to go. IL-you go to my Bishop, even if you had to point a revolver at his head and make him agree to let mc go,. I will give you £5. (Applause from the crowd.)

The speaker, in conclusion, pleaded with the men to override the obstacles, real or imaginary, which prevented them enlisting at once. He asked this in the name of Britain, in the name of brotherhood, and in the name of God.