AN APPEAL FOR RECRUITS

Evening Post, Volume XCI, Issue 56, 7 March 1916, Page 2

AN APPEAL FOR RECRUITS

MEETING AT ROSENEATH

ADDRESS BY HON A. L. HERD

MAN

At a recruiting meeting held in the Roseneath schoolroom last evening) there was an attendance of between 50 and 60 people, few of whom appeared to be actually of military age, while a large proportion were women. The proceedings were most enthusiastic. Mr. R. Darroch occupied the chair, and among those present was the Hon. A. L. Herdman, who gave an interesting address.

After Miss J. Davidson had sung "We Don't Want to Lose You," the Chairman briefly opened with an appeal to all to do their best in. the interests of the Empire. The Hon. A L. Herdman said it would indeed be a. proud day if, at the end of the war, New Zealand could say that it had done its duty under the voluntary system. New Zealand had so far done magnificently, and we had every reason to be proud of our youth. It might be necessary to introduce the compulsory system later, but the Government had decided to give the voluntary system a thorough trial. Soldiers wero required, because our existence as a nation had been challenged. There were still some people who did not realise the serious nature of the conflict. New Zealand was extremely prosperous just now, and was thousands of miles from the scenes of desolation and misery created by the war. A stranger would hardly believe that New Zealand formed part of an Empire now at war. Many men had offered—a big proportion of the population—and the meetings throughout the country, even if they did nothing else, would probably educate the people as a whole as to the present position. We had to win the war, because so much was at stake. Tf wo were defeated, our mana would suffer, and Englishmen would fall from their place in the sun. Defeat would mean a loss of freedom Did the men and women of the Dominion realise just how free they were? He thought not. He desired to point out that, unless the issue was decided in our favour, we would lose the freedom and safety we had enjoyed all our lives Our danger at the present time was great, but it would become greater if we allowed ourselves to drift into an inertness, and failed to put forth all our best endeavours to win the war. It was the duty of every man and woman to endeavour to induce all vour.j men of military age to enlis*., providing that they were fit. He felt certain that the Allies were going to win; but that was not the question. The question was : How soon would the Allies win? The Army, at the outbreak of war, was not prepared, but many things had happened since then, and he felt that the day was not far distant when there would be a general striking on all fronts that the Germans would never forget. No matter how prosperous Now Zealand was, the position was grave. It was of vital necessity that men should be secured The time; had arrived for a supreme effort. New Zealand had been said to lead the world in many things. Never lot it be said that she had not done her part in war-winning. Never let it be said that she failed to keep her obligations to the Imperial authorities. Enlistment was no child's play, but after the war was over the man who shouldered the gun would have something to bo proud of; but the man who was able to go, and did not go, wonH have something to regret for ever.

Mr. F. W Man ton said it was the duty of every man to respond to the country's call. Everywhere through the Empire men had come forward willingly —brown and white pakeha and Maori, because they knew that their country was worth fighting for. When the cry was heard throughout the Dominion he was sure there would he a great response. "Ts there a man of military age and no ties among you," he. asked, "who is not eager to fill the gaps which have been caused in the ranks of the New Zealanders " The man who said he would not fight for his country did not love his country. The speaker had no time for the man who would not fight because of religious scruples. This war was different to all others. He appealed to all to use th,eir influence to secure as many recruits as possible. "My turn will probably come sooner than I expect," said Mr. Manton, "and when it does come I will be quite prepared to answer the call and do my share with the rest." (Applause. )

Mr. R. R. Martin, jun., a returned soldier, was the next to speak, and ho was received with applause. He referred at length to the great preparedness of the German, and also to the justness of the cause in which the Allies were fighting. New Zealanders could do nothing better than fight for the flag which had always protected them. More than that, they owed it as a duty to those who had already gone.' They owed it as a duty, also, to the fathers and mothers and dependents of those who went with the Main Force, many never to return. Again, it was a duty they owed to their own women folk We did not realise the unthinkable atrocities. which the Germans had committed. He appealed to employers not to give employment to men perfectly fit who refused to enlist. It was one way the employers could help —by giving absolute preference to returned men. He asked those present to make a personal appeal to those who were staying behind. Public opinion was going to do a great deal in sending those men to the front. "We must have public opinion with us," concluded Mr. Martin amidst applause. Mr. S. Spragg also spoke, and at the conclusion of the meeting a motion, moved by Mr. H. M. Morrison, and seconded 'by Mr. J. Smith, was carried as follows: —"That this representative meeting of Roseneath citizens pledges itself to do all in its power to further voluntary enlistment, and is prepared, if it is the wish of the Central Committee, to form a committee in this district."

The speakers were also heartily thank, ed for their addresses.