" ONCE TO EVERYMAN''

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2665, 10 January 1916, Page 6

" ONCE TO EVERYMAN''

A. GREAT OPPORTUNITY STIRRING APPEAL BY THE PRIME MINISTER A stirring appeal to men of military age to follow the splendid example of those of our men who have woii famo for themselves and their country serving', with the Army at the front was made by the Prime Minister in a recent speech at Palmers ton. "Once to every man and to every nation conies the moment to decide," said Mr. Massey. "As a nation we gave our decision on August 4, 1914, when it was decided that where Britain's honour was concerned the cost was not to bo counted, hut that at any sacrifice of blood or treasure . our treaty obligations were to bo maintained. Since that date the best blood of tho Empire has been poured like water. Sacrifice and sorrow have heen conimon to every part of the Dominions, but there are still, I regret to say, numbers of individuals—men of military ago and physically fik who have not yet decided for the right. "To them I would say in all earnestness that- tho solemn hour is passing. In a. short time their great opportunity willbe gone never to return. On them rests tho responsibility of saying whether the lives which have been given shall have been given in vain, because if this war is not carried to a successful issue, these • great sacrifices will surely havo been rendered without avail. _ The fate of civilisation is trembling in the balance: It is for them to say. Will they place in the scale the energy and courago which they possess, ijnd which have come down to them from sturdy warrior ancestors, or will they, stand back aud allow Prussian despotism and military tyranny to outweigh all the virtues and manly qualities with which British citizenship is endowed? "Will they follow the example, and fill tho places of tlieso gallant lads who responded to tho first call from the heart of the Empire, many of whom have given their lives for their country's cause? I cannot think they will be content to disregard tho traditions of their fathers, and dishonour tho land which gave them birth, by declining to take part in the defence of their country and Empire against the attacks of the cruel and treacherous Huns who are seeking to orerthrow the civilisation and prosperity which have been the work of generations of Britishers to build up? . "I believe that the real manhood of tiiis country will follow the glorious lead that has been given by those brave men who have gone before, and that the sword will not be sheathed nor the rifle laid down until' peaco with honour conies to Britain and our Allies in the great struggle which is now being waged?''