PUBLIC MEETING AT LEESTON.

Ellesmere Guardian, Volume XXII, Issue 3823, 5 August 1916, Page 2

PUBLIC MEETING AT LEESTON.

A lafge number of people from alt parts of the County responded to the invitation issued by the chairman of the Ellesmere County Council to attend a meeting held in the Leeston Town Hall yesterday afternoon. The hall was well filled. Mr J. Cunningham, the county chairman, presided, and there were also cm the atage hit Wsrihip tin Umt $ Cferii $*

church and Mrs Holland, and a number of local representative citizens. In opening the meeting, the chairman briefly explained that the meeting had been called at the request of the Prime Minister, to pass a resolution expresi&ujf I determination to prosecute lie war to a victorious conclusion. Similar meetings were being held throughout the Dominion and the British Empire. The object was to show that w£ were determined to carry on until victory was assured, and to strengthen the hands of the Government so that every effort would be put forward. The British Empire must stand or fail together* and if the component parts of the Empire did their duty we were bound to achieve success. In introducing his Worship the Mayor of Christchurch, the chairman said that apart from members of Parliament, no public men had borne J-? eA responsibilities with so mt&R credit as the mayors of the cities. The work done by Mr Holland was not only a credit to Christchurch, but to Canterbury as well. He also paid a tribute to the work done by Mrs Holland. / On rising to speak, Mr Holland * was greeted with loud applause. In opening, he made reference to the enthusiastic meeting held in Christchurch at noon that day. In every town throughout the Empire meetings were being held tore-affirm the oftreiterated determination to carry on until Germany was completely beaten. When the war broke out and we were told that Germany had been preparing. for 40 years, we felt some anxiety, but we were all very thankful that our fears had given place to confidence in victory. He did not believe for a moment that anyone would agree to giving up the graves of our boys at Gallipoli. Mr Holland informed the meeting of the latest German crime—the sinking^^e "Britannic," the largest lineFln the world, which was unable to offer any resistance. While Germany was already beaten, it would probably take some time to convince her that she was beaten. We were determined to back up the efforts of the Motherland. Referring to the manner" in which the British navy had done its duty, Mr Holland said that it only required one or two more such victories as the North Sea fight to dispose of the German fleet altogether. The British blockade was proving successful, despite all that Germany had said to the contrary, and Germany could not break that blockade. There was only one thing for her to do, and that was to go to John Bull, cap in hand, admit defeat and bear the consequences:. Germany was really an interned nation—-nothing more and nothing less. Speaking of the splendid efforts put forward by the Dominions, Mr Hoi* land said that Nc^ Zealand had sent 67,000 of the cream of Jig? manhood to the cjlaura, tv voflf!'. teers, while i\ million poubiU had been subscribed to the funds for relief of the wounded and their da. pendeotfi The British Arrtty bad been increased from Joo.oco mea to J,o?i,ooG men — all volunteer While the Central Powers' held i8?,doo square miles of territory that did not belong to theril, the Allies haJ taken to,ooo,ddj square miles of territory belonging to the Contra! Powers. Mr Holland coa&luded by urging all present to do their tT little bit," (App^use). An interesting address, dealing mainly with Lady Liverpool Work, was given by Mrs Holland, mL^ On the motioQ of the chaiflßl^a resolution of sympathy winPtefßtives of those who have fallen waa carried. The resolution suggested by the Prime Minister was then moved by MrJ Storry, seconded by Mr G. Sheat and carried. During the afternoon songs were sung by Mrs Coe and Misses Henderson and Withers. A hearty vote of thanks was aqcoid>d the Mayor and Mrs Holland and Mr Adams, who motor, ed the party out from town, and the meeting concluded with the Nation- . al Anthem and cheers.