RECRUITING RALLY

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2607, 1 November 1915, Page 6

RECRUITING RALLY

MENTION OF CONSCRIPTION PRIME MINISTER SPEAKS OUT SOME STIRRING SPEECHES

"Thoso young men of New Zealand who are fit and who havo not. yet moved in tho right direction, should come forward to-night and take their places among their fellows to crush tho tyranny of Germany," said Mr. J. E. Fitzgerald iu the course of his remarks in opening a recruiting mooting at the Town Hall Concert Chamber on Saturday night. The function was advertised as a grand recruiting smoke concert, under tho auspices of the Army Service Corps of the National Reserve Mr. Fitzgerald as major in command of tho corps occupied the chair, and he was supported on the platform by the Prime Minister (the Rifijht Hon. W. F. Massey), the Right Hon. Sir Joseph Ward, Captain Simson, Mi - . T. M. Wilford, M.P., Mr. H. G.-Hill (chairman of tho Patriotic Society), representatives of the clergy, prominent citizens, .and returned soldiers. When the Speeches comnienccd shortly after 8 o'clock there was a large audience. The chairman explained that the meeting as first planned had been, a smoke concert for tho Army Service Corps, but it had later been decided to make it open to the public so that everyone in Wellington might coma along and listen and think. He emphasised the necessity of realising what .it would mean to Britishers should the enemy triumph, and urged young men of the Dominion to remember the wicked threat of tho Kaiser as to what the women of England might expect should Germany conquer England. He hoped that at the end of the meeting, they would be able to say that it had been a huge success. (Applause.) Mr. Wilford, who was callod upon to move the first resolution, expressed himself as confident that it would be carried enthusiastically. When the German Emperor boasted that, at the close of the war, ho would have a victory worthy of God he forgot, the flamingsword of Belgium. We, too, hoped for a victory worthy of God. but we believed, not in the god that Germany worships, but in the God of Truth and Justice and Honour. We had learned recently that there were two'kinds of honour—honour and German honour— and it was not difficult to differentiate between the two. One effect of the war was that young people had become older and had com© to realise the position, and to know themselves, and if wo knew ourselves iu a war of this kind, what was our duty? Surely it was plain. If it was men the Empire wanted, could we not help? Were we not bound to help? Was not our very existence at stake, and was it not" a choico between Jackboot tyranny and honest rule? Mr. Wilford touched vpon the, German motives in entering upon the ivar, and surveyed the operations, declaring that all was well with us, his .references to Galiipoli heroes and to gallant Belgium being followed b,v rousing ciicers. ,AVo had an ironclad security in tho Navy, but the experiences of Nouve Chapello, Galiipoli, and Loos had proved wo wanted men —a preponderance of men and munitions, to bring this war cf attrition to a close. 'Die German Emperor could not with-, draw his troops from Belgium, France, or Russia (cheers), and there would be one grand smash when wo supplied the preponderance of men. Wo wero asked by Old England to help. There she stood—tho parent, the author of our existence—calling to us. Ho personally believed New Zealand would answer the call, would furnish its quota, and pledge itself to the hilt to do tlw square thing by the men, who were doing the square thing for us. (Applause.) He could assure the Prime Minister and tho National Government that New Zealand would sign and endorse the cheque writtcu by the Government in the proper prosecution of the war. (Renewed applause.) He moved: "That realising how vital it is for tho life of the British Empire that recruiting shall bo energetically undertaken and systematically carried out, wo pledge ourselves to do all in our power during the war to faithfully and earnestly assist in answering everj call which may bo made."

A Miracle of Valour. Sir. A. Jolly, in seconding the resolution. said that twelve months ag;o .very few of us went deeply enough int-o tho question to realise the life and death struggle in which wo-.were engaged. It was necessary to sniasli the 6pirit of unreasoned optimism which had prevailed, and recognise tho mighty task confronting us. We were face to face with a terrible war which was deliberately planned and begun in dishonour and' treachery, with the German Emperor openly rejoicing. Belgium's sacrifice in holding back the Gorman Army was a miracle of valour. It had saved Europe and eaved England, and we owed a debt of honour to our brave Ally. . (Cheers.) We were in the war bonause we could not have stopped out with honour, and in it also because our very national existence was at stake.. Though the war was terrible, we would ultimately be ablo_ to look back and say that evil though it was a soul of good came out of it. But for' victory, unity was necessary—perfect unity between people, Army, and Government. Germany was bleeding white, and we had only. to stand together man to man to see this thing; throngli. Therefore all young men should search their hearts and ask themselves if they had a reason—not an excuse —for holding back. Mr. Jolly concluded with a touching referenc« to the men who had already gone and were sleeping their last in far Gallipoli. Tho resolution was .carried with great enthusiasm. ' 1 Choice Between Good and Evil. Tho Prime Minister then moved:— "That this -meeting expresses sincere sympathy with His Majesty tho King in the aocidont which has happened to him, and at the same time earnestly hopes for his speedy recovery to health and strength." Mr. Massey said that Britain, for centuries past, had been particularly fortunate in, its sovereigns, and King George was a worthy descendant of tho line, and of the nation to which we n'ero all proud to belong. The meeting, Mr. Massey folt sure, would not regard tho resolution as an empty one, but as the sincere desire of all. Coming to the question of tho war, ha expressed the appreciation of the Government at the work carried on by _ tho patriotic societies, and the recruiting associations. With the complications that had recently arisen; a special appeal had to be made for men. They had been told by tlie cablegrams that another three million men were required, and he hoped and believed these would be forthcoming. (Applause.) Now Zealand had done her part nobly and well, and wo ought to be proud of our country. (A voice: So wo are. Our men had done greater things than had over been expected of them, and even when up against overwhelming odds 'had never flinclicd. (Cheers.) Already we had sent 28,000 men'and within the next few weeks there would bo leaving these shores another 3000 as good as the men who had already gone. Thirty thousand in twelve months! It was a big undertaking, but no bigger than was demanded by the issues at stake. Referring to tha Carman outrages, slr. bMaJisa£ said that fa* blood of the 80l-

gians, the blood of the French, and the blood of the Russians was crying out for vengeance. Vengeance was the prerogative of the Almighty, but it was 'to be hoped that the armies of the Allies would be the iustrumeut of His vengeance. (Applause.) Many people had now-come to the conclusion that consoription was ripfht and proper, because they saw in different districts that many young men, who were physically fit, had not offered their services to the Empire. Men who were fit to go to the front had only to decide between good and evil. Good was for the Empire and evil was remaining neutral. The National Register would give every malo in the country an opportunity of saying whether he would go to "the front or not. The form would bring home to him tho seriousness of the crisis. Mr. Massey believed it would induce thousands to come forward and offer their services to the country. Ho wanted to avoid conscription, but t'ho Government had to find tho men, and would havo to find them by conscription if there was no usher way. As for tho soldiers at the front, what a glorious example they had set for those who romained behind. Many of them would never como back, but their memories would be kept green by their gallant deeds. (Applause.) Since the beginning of the war. our position had been strengthened, while our enemy, was growing weaker as timo wore on. Our fight was for honour, justice, truth, aud freedom, but if we were going to bo successful we wanted men, more men, and still moro men. He hoped New Zealand would do her share to seo that thoso men. wow forthcoming. (Applause.) 1 "Disown Them."

Sir Joseph Ward, iu seconding the resolution moved by tho Prime Minister, said that all regrotted tho accident which had befallen His Majesty. Wo were all proud of our King, and his manner and bearing in. all lits greatest troubles. The hearts of the peoplo throughout the civilised world would be beating in unison that night expressing sentiments similar to those convoyed in the resolution. Sir Joseph, proceeding, touched upon tho war, and deprecated the pinpricking criticism on tno occasion of supposed mistakes. In 6pite of all tho criticism, the fact remained that the Army had grown from a few, hundred thousand to millions, that tho Navy had been strengthened beyond expectations, and that tho problem of munitions had been solved. Without making a long speech, ho would say that if the young men of tho country did not do their duty, tho young maidoris should disown them. By this means they would inspire men in every walk of life to go forth aud do their duty. The country would do its duty by the men who went to fight to make our homes secure. (Cheers.) The resolution, moved by the Prime Minister, was then carried, with the singing of tho National Antbom.

The Hon. A. M. Myers, in tho course of a brief speech, expressed himself as thoroughly in accord with the Primo' Minister's utterance on the question of conscription, and declared he was proud to sit. on the platform with a leader who had the courage to stato the position so plainly. The Empire had to see the thing through, awl it was the duty of tho men to come forward. He felt suro they would, and that if required the men, who wero at present debarred by the age limit, would also como into line.

Need for Fighting Men. Captain Simson ooinplimented tlie National Reservo on the work being done, but considered tbere was room for improvement in the constitution, and proposed making representations on the matter. He also complimented the National Government' on its achievements in connection with the war, but blamed it for not coming forward with a more definite statemont' as to what it "intended to do' for its fighting men and their dependents. In this, however, the people were really to blame. They were the Government, and they should tell their Ministers what they wanted and what they were determined to have. Why should not the woalt.li of the country be at'the back of the men, who were going to tbo front? (Applause.) He urged upon those present the necessity for men, fighting men, and plenty of them. They wanted men now, they wanted them in three months, in twelve months, and most of all when the timo for 'talking peace came. Thou every available man should bo ■ under arms if an honourable peace was to be obtained. A peaco could be obtained on terms that would spell, everlasting shame; another mothod would bo by the use of coloured men, 'and that would mean everlasting regret. An honourable, lasting peace could bo obtained only if wo had the strength of numbers to back up our peace talk. Hence the necessity for a continuous supply of tens of thousands, of fighting' men. Married men had a duty oast upon them as well as the single/ men, who bad no families to fight 'tor. There should be no waiting for conscription, which, carried With it the taint of cowardice and "cold feet."

Mr. D. M'Laron also addressed the meeting, and the chairman afterwards called for rccruits. Fifteen in all responded, and wore cheered enthusiastically by those present on mounting the platform.

During the evening selections were played by Mr. M'Laughlin's Orchestra, and Master Power gave a recitation, and Mr. M'Callum a song.

STATEMENT BY DEFENCE MINISTER. STRONG PEELING RECOGNISED. In the course of his remarks at the .welcome to the wounded men who returned by tho Willochra, the Hon. Jas. Allen said 'ho knew the strong feeling there was in that part of New Zealand with regard to one topic of the war question. It had not come prominently before them, but he believed it would yet come before them. He referred to the feeling that it ought not to be left to the men who volunteered to go to the front and that there were some' who did not volunteer to go, but who ought to go and could go, but would not. Ho mado no claim for alteration in tho present system, but he Jiad been surprised since lie had been in the south to find the almost unanimous feeling that existed in tho community with regard to compulsion. (Applause.) "I would wo could go through without it," he added, "but if wo cannot, all I can say is that .1 believe my colleagues are ready to face the question ivhcn the need comes." (Applause.)