FOR EMPIRE

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 105, 5 May 1915, Page 3

FOR EMPIRE

DEMONSTRATION IN THE CITY THE CALL TO ARMS NEW ZEALANDERS IN ACTION. PATRIOTIC SPEECHES. A patriotic demonstration was held in Wellington last night as an expression of the recognition of tho entry of the Now Zealand Forces in the fighting line in the Dardanelles, and also to stimulate the recruiting movement. Chiefly the honours of the occasion rest with the National Reserve. They mustered between 2000 and 3000 strong, and they constituted the pivot of the, whole of the patriotic proceedings, which culminated in a series of speeches outside Government Buildings last night. Starting from Buckle-street Barracks, the Reserves, together with a solid phalanx of the sth Regiment, Senior Cadets, and Boy Scouts, whose progress was heralded by fifes and drums and bugles and bands, the massed forces marched through the streets to the front of the Government Buildings, where it had been arranged that patriotic speeches should be delivered. The Forces were somewhat late in arriving, but tho expectant public had assembled early for the purpose of witnessing the procession, and when it did arrive it found that most of the vacant space in front of the Government Buildings had already been taken up. It,' was a significant fact that of the spectators the majority were women ; they were the first to come and the last to go. The Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) presided over the proceedings, which were conducted from the balcony above the main entrance of the Government Buildings. He was accompanied by Mrs. Luke, and there were also present tho Prime Minister (the Right Hon. W. F. Massey) and Mrs. Massey, Sir Joseph Ward, the Hon. J. Allen, and tho Hon. H. D. Bell. LOOKING AHEAD. Mr. Massey, who was received with three ringing cheers, hpartily complimented the National Reserve on their splendid parade. He had, he said, the best of reasons for knowing that there were members of the National Reserve who, if they had the opportunity of giving effect to their zeal, would join their friends and comrades in the fighting line. (Loud cheers.) "We cannot all go to the front," he added, "but each of us can do his little bit. We can keep the industries of the country going ; we can keep the business of the country going ; we can provide the sine.ws of war. We can make provision for the maintenance of those who have gone. We can make provision for those who are disabled ; each .one can do his duty in whatever direction his duty lies." (Cheers.) -The experience through which they were passing was the best test that couid possibly be applied, not only to nationhood but to citizenship. It was a test of character, of courage, and determination. He was quite certain that the British Empire, that British citizens, would successfully pass any test that might be applied to them. (Cheers.) The events of tho last few days must have brought home to all the fact that ■this was a life and death struggle, that ! all our local grievances and differences 1 were small and petty compared with the* question of Empire. (Applause.) The events of the last few days had brought sorrow into many homes, not only in New Zealand but in every other part of the Empire, arid he regretted exceedingly that he was not able to give them any more details than had already been published. But he- would like to say to/the relatives of those who had fallen or been wounded that his sympathy went out to them in their anxiety. All possible care would be taken of tho wounded, and ho sincerely hoped that the next news received would be of a happier description. As to the men who had fallen, their relatives had this consolation : that they had died in a good cause. They had fought for the greatest cause possible ; they had fought for their country ; and, as one of greatest poets had written — "now can man die better Than facing fearful odds For the ashes of his fathers And the altars of his gods?" They were confident, he went on to say, that our New Zealand troops had done their duty, that they had acted up to the higher traditions of the race to which they belong. "Their names are engraved on the Roll of Fame, and as far as the British people are concerned their memories will never be forgotten." (Loud aud continuous cheering.) TO ENCOURAGE RECRUITING. One effect of the events of th© last few days must be to stimulate and encourage recruiting. He knew, and so did they, that every young New Zealander was "breaking his heart to get away." They knew perfectly well that there were thousands of people who wanted io do their duty on the other side of the world, but who could not get away from home ties and home duties. They were not shirkers. They would do their duty in New Zealand if they could not do it on the other side of the world. But he would say to those who were physically fit, and not held here by home ties and duties, "To your tents, O Israel ! The country call*; the King needs your services. Register now, so that you may be ready when you are wanted." (Loud cheering.) It was not a question of class or creed. It was a question of the Empire for all and all for the Empire. (Renewed cheers.) There must be no looking back, no halting between two opinions, until our forces roll £he tide of war into the enemy's territory, "until Britain and her Allies are able to arrange a peace which will be honourable and lasting." (Renewed and loud cheering.) SIR JOSEPH WARD'S TRIBUTE. The Leader of the Opposition (Sir Joseph Ward) made special reference to the National Reserve, which, he said, wae giving tangible evidence 1 of an anxious desire to demonstrate the fact of their determination to co-operate in helping to preserve the prestige of the Grand Old Flag under which we all live. (Cheers.) As to the relatives of those who had gone under in the Dardanelles, the sympathy of all went out to them, but it must be remembered that in such a great conflict heavy losses must bo anticipated. While they had tho greatest sympathy with the relatives of those who had fallen, they must remember that men who engaged in such an enterprise took their lives in their hands, and the finest recognition of the work done was that they had fought in defence of their King and Empire. (Cheers.) As to the wounded, and those bereft, he said it was the duty of tho people, through the Government, to leave nothing undone- to soften tho blow and to make proper provision for those who had been wounded and for the relatives of those who had died in defence of the Empire. (Renewed cheers.) j THE NATIONAL RESERVE. " We New Zealanders have been waiting for this day. The day has com© to j us. We have heard of the deeds of our ive are jwoud of .thpeg deeds^ j

though we mourn the losses, and we sympathise with tho bereft," said . tho Minister of Defence (Hon J. Allen) in his opening remarks. They who remained behind in New Zealand, he continued, and who would like to be at the front, had their duties to perform. To the National Reserve ho wanted to sa.y a few words :—: — "I don't know whether you realise the feeling of safety we have- in New Zealand when we find every man and every woman wanting to do something for the country and the Empire. The women of New Zealand have been occupied, and will be occupied during tho whole course of the war, in giving expression to their sympathy by practical work. (Applause.) The men of the National Reserve represent the national and | patriotic spirit of the country. One of j their purposes is to make the country aware that when tho younger men have gone to the front they are left behind in charge of the defence of the Dominion. (Cheers.) You represent to us not only j the national, patriotic spirit, but that spirit which makes every New Zealander feel that he ought to be doing something at this time. You are doing something ! May I ask the citizens who are here before me whether they are doing what j they ought to do at this particular time?' During the course of the next few j months we shall want men to go away to ! fill up blank places. So far recruiting has been exceedingly good, but the extension of operations all over the world has called upon us to send more men than we intended. These men have to be found. May I ask the National Reserve to help us to find them, and to the citizens present I would say : If there are any men who ought to volunteer, let them come forward without delay." MEN WANTED. They needed to register within the next few months, he added, some 15,000 names. If they did that they would feel they had something solid to go upon. "I know that when the call comes we shall answer the call. I look forward to the splendid work you will do, not only in keeping up the patriotic spirit, but in giving an example to those who may need it." (Loud cheers.) Cheers for "The Boys at the Front," "The Boys in Training," and "The Mothers, Sisters, and Wives" we- re given with great heartiness. "God Save the King" was sung, and the proceedings closed with cheers for the Mayor and Mrs. Luke.