THROUGH THE FIRE.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 187, 8 August 1919, Page 5

THROUGH THE FIRE.

EMPIRE'S ENDURANCE.

EVER-GROWING RESOURCES.

KB. LIOYD GEORGE'S TRIBUTE.

.(By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.)

(Received 9.45 a.m.)

LONDON, August 7. ihe House of Commons to-day passed a resolution expressing thanks to the Forces for their great work during the war

Mr. Lloyd George, in moving the resolution, opened with a glowing eulogy of Marshal Foch. The war would have been won by the valour, endurance, and resources of the Allied armies without Marshal Foeh's leadership, but only his genius made victory in 1»18 possible. The declaration of war was a challenge to the nobility of our race. No nation could have disregarded it without losing its self respect and becoming a despised people. We owe thanks to Mr. Asquith and Viscount Grey for taking the decision which saved the land from shame. One of the most thrilling events of the history of the world was the rallying of millions of men to the flag. That episode would always be honourably associated with the great name of Lord Kitchener.

He doubted if in any war had such '• multitudes of men displayed such sustained character. What -was true of the battlefield was equally true of the sea. The mercantile marine faced horrors even worse than those of the battlefields. Fifteen thousand men had fallen victims to the cruellest, most dastardly piracy ever perpetrated. Everywhere on land, sea, and in the air, the strain on the heart, nerve, Trill and courage of men was beyond anything described in the history of the world. It was a matter of just pride that Britain fought better, displayed greater daring and endurance, and delivered more vigorous, roightier, and more terrible blows in the last year of the war than ever before. The Premier paid an eloquent tribute to the [Women's Auxiliary services Regarding the Dominions, it was only necessary to peruse the truly dazzling list of victories gained by the gallant overseas troops in order to realise the greatness of their share in the happy isues of the war. We rejoice as much as they that the Dominions, through the valour of their sons, won a prominent place in the fraternity of nations.. Mr. Lloyd George paid a tribute to the industrial workers, to whom we owed the celerity, efficiency, and completeness with which our arms were equipped. The House -was deeply affected when he referred to the men and women who bore the racking strain of anxiety and grief. Only in this great day did we know how much agony was brought to millions of homes and the measure of silent heroism displayed- Those who had shown such qualities would show them again to save the Motherland from danger if the need comes through subtler and therefore more formidable perils.—(A. and N.Z.) In the House of Lords, Eard Crewe paid a tribute to Earl Kitchener as the only British Minister who ever laid down his life in war. The House of Lords passed the vote 3 standing.—(A. and TSJZ. Cable.)