NEW ZEALAND'S OBLIGATIONS

Evening Post, Volume XCI, Issue 92, 18 April 1916, Page 7

NEW ZEALAND'S OBLIGATIONS

RECRUITING RALLY THE "WENTS" AND THE "SENTS." (BY OCR SPECIAL REPORTER.) An eloquent speech was delivered last night at Feilding By the Prime Minister (Rt.' Hon. W. F. Massey), -who spoke from the balcony of the picture theatre in front of the Post Office. Mr. D. H. Guthrie, M.P. for Oroua, presided, and, in spite of the cold, wet weather, a laige crowd assembled to listen to what the Prime Minister had to say.

"I have no fault to find with the Feilding district," said *Mr. Massey at tho oatset. "I would be pleased if all the other districts had done as well." "He knew he was speaking to people that night whose relatives had made the great sacrifice and whose names would remain on the roll of honour for all time. (Applause.) Great Britain was fighting for her national existence, and the question was whether we in> New Zealand were going to keep on with our voluntary system or bring in some form of compulsion much the same as had been done in England. Tears ago Great Britain had been content with an army of tens of thousands, but to be successful in the present war she needed an army of millions. Who would have thought a short while ago that this little country was to have as many as 55,000 men under arms? He did not think the voluntary system had failed, and he was going to tell them where he stood in regard to the voluntary system and compulsion. Recruits were wanted, and the rolls must be perfected as far as possible, so that if compulsion had to be brought into force it would bo possible to find the men who were wanted. Ho knew perfectly well there were many single men who could not go without serious loss and hardship and who had dependents.. There would have to be a distinction made between the "wents"" and the "sents." There were tens of thousands of single young men without dependents who could go, but who had not seen their way to offer their services to the Government, and these were the people the Government wanted to get at.

It was oniy during the last, fewmonths that we had realised the seriousness of the war, and it must be admitted t.hat Great Britain was caught, unprepared—caught napping. But now the position had changed, and no one would say that the German Army was as strong as it was in 1914, or that the German Navy was as strong as it was in 1914. 'But we could say of the British Army and Navy that, they were stronger to-day than they were 'at the beginning of the wai\

The people at. the head of the N.ew Zealand . Government had entered into certain obligations to supply troops as long as the war was on. - Already there had gone forth 42,000 of the pick of the country to represent New Zealand on the other side of the world, and ap- ' proximately 13,000 men were in camp. Five hundred young New Zealanders had enlisted in London, and 350 miners had been sent from this country. In addition we had sent two of the best and most properly equipped hospital ships. Also, %ye had sent 10,000 New Zealand horses along with the men. We had promised the Imperial authorities 2500 men a month, properly trained and properly equipped, and up to the present, we had not been a single man short. It was a big undertaking, but it was not too big.considering the circum- | stances. Anyone who had studied what was going oil before the war would have seen the maps showing Australia German territory, South Africa German territory, and New Zealand German territory. In these circumstances the New Zealand Government had not promised too much. If Germany did happen to be victorious, where would New Zealand be? In the same position as Belgium: "I am not looked upon as a vindictive man,", said Mr. Mussey, "but I hopo to God that Germany will bo punished for every murder and every crime. 'Vengeance is mine, 1 will, repay, said the Lord.' And I believe He will. I want to see the British troops the instruments of His vengeance as far as the punishment is concerned." In years to come, added Mr. Massey, the young man who was physically ilk I to-day would bo asked what part he played ii\ the great war commencing in 1914. and he pitied the man, abl;--bodiod and free, who would have to admit that he left others to fight for the privilege of free citizenship. In the case of such a man his shame would hang round his neck like a millstone, because if we lost the fault would be that man's and other men who thought as he did. As far as his (Mr. Massey:s) opinion was concerned, he was a thorough believer in the system of compulsory national service as advocated by the late Lord Hoberts. He did not think that Britain could longer afford to depend on the voluntary system, and he sincerely hoped we would profit by the lessons we had learned. The war

spirit of the British people had been raised as it had never been raised before in history, and it was that spirit of doggedness and cheerfulness that was going to see us through. There would., be no thought of peace until the Ger- • mans were driven back into their own couutry, and the- Allies wei'e able 10 dictate to them on German soil in order to ensure peace for a very long time to come. (Loud applause.)

At the conclusion of his address throo lusty cheers were given for the speaker.