DUTY'S CALL

Evening Post, Volume XCI, Issue 98, 26 April 1916, Page 3

DUTY'S CALL

MEN WHO ANSWERED NOBLY

GATHERING IN THE TOWN HALL

"These men have don© their duty— will you do yours?" This was the inspiring note struck by speakers at the patriotic gathering in the Town Hall last night. The men were a body of Anzacs who, amidst the cheers of the thousands who filled the hall, and to the strains of Mendelssohn's stirring "War March of the Priests," filed into seats reserved for them. The Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) presided, and among others on the platform were the Prime Minister (Rt. Hon. W. F. Massey) and Mrs. Massey, Sir Joseph Ward and Lady Ward, Hon. (1. W. Eussell, representatives of the City Council and other public bodies, and of the Veterans' Association. It was rather, surprising that, though Wellington is tho headquarters of the Defence Department, no military officials were on the platform. The hall had been decked out with flags and bunting, and before the speeches commenced Mr. H. S. Claughton played a selection of patriotic airs on the grand organ. The meeting opened and closed with the National Anthem. In the intervals between the speeches Madamo Anderson sang " Tho M'Gregors' Gathering" and "Keep the Home Fires Burning," returned soldiers joining in the chorus. A special hymn, written and composed for Anzac Day by Mr. Charles Norman, was also sung. EQUALITY OF SACRIFICE. The Mayor extended a hearty welcome to the returned soldiers. He felt he could for all citizens of the Dominion voice the gratitude of the country to the men who had gone to fight the* battles of tho Empire, and their sense of devotion to the men who had fallen. It was not fair, he said, for people to expect come to do the fighting while

others, quite as able, stayed at home. They gavo a generous invitation to the men of Wellington now. It was heartily desired that the men necessary should be obtained on a voluntary basis, but if they could not get them in that way then other means must bo .used; but they wished to enlist the services of the returned soldiers and the women in this work first. "To the men who have returned from the front I say that we can never thank you enough; some people say when I say that : 'Why don't you back it up?' We will back it up, and here are the two men (indicating the Prime Minister, and Sir Joseph Ward) that we are going to force to back it up." The Mayor then moved the following motion :— "On this, the first anniversary of the landing of the Australasian troops on Gallipoli, this meeting of citizens of Wellington emphasises its unswerving loyalty to the Throne and Empire of His Gracious Majesty the King, and pledges its determination to maintain, the partnership of national sacrifice which has been sealed already by the blood of Australasia's bravest sons. "This meeting expresses admiration of the magnificent heroism, self-sacri-fice, and endurance of the soldier patriots of New Zealand and Australia, and all parts of the Empire, who, on the first Anzac Day, and during the subsequent long battle siege of Gallipoli in the great war for the maintenance of justice, liberty, and freedom, shed immortal lustro on the name of their country. "This meeting voices heartfelt sympathy with those whose loved ones laid down their lives for the Empire, and assures the bereaved and the soldiers who have suffered of the undying gratitude of the people who, through that sacrifice, retain the blessings of liberty, enhanced by a fuller sense of nationhood and closer and. stronger union with the other portions of the British Dominions. "This meeting urges upon all who are eligible the imperative duty of following the example of those heroes whose names will be honoured so long as history endures." "THEY SHALL' NOT DIE IN VAIN." Hon. T. W.. Hislop, in seconding the motion, said he was sure the resolution expressed the sentiment of every person in that hall. First, it expressed our deep sentiment of loyalty to His Majesty the King, who had great privileges. We also had ft great privilege—a great privilege which the Americans did not have—namely, of reverence and love for the head of the State, and at the same time we had every privilege of freedom which a democratic community could possess. For three generations .past we had had monarchs whose sentiments were with the people. (Applause.) Mr. Hislop then alluded to the poisonous seed which had been sown in Germany, and which had produced the present war. The whole of Germany was now permeated with a hatred of England and a hatred of all the true doctrines which elevated ■ mankind. The ruler of Germany, who had been responsible for so much evil occurring, made two great mistakes when he tried to estimate what would .occur if this war took place. He mistook what he took would happen in the case of war in respect to the loose connection between the different parts of the Empire. Referring to the military operations at Anzac, Mr. Hislop remarked that nothing could be said higher of any soldier in the world than that he came up to the traditions of the British soldier, and yet we wero told that the English, Australians, and New Zealanders almost excelled anything that had before been done in the annals of war. Passing comparison was made of the conditions of life in Germany and those existing throughout theBritish Empire. ■ Mr. Hislop concluded by quoting,, with slight modification, appropriate to the occasion, the words used by Abraham Lincoln at the Gettysburg commemoration of the dead, in which the resolve was expressed that "these dead shall not have died in vain." WITH RUNNYMEDE AND LEXINGTON. Councillor A. R. Atkinson referred briefly to the military aspect of the Gallipoli operations. "It is very distressing for us that the whole thing was a colossal blunder, and, from a military point of view, was practically fruitless; but that only emphasises the wonder of the performance." General Monro had testified to the • wonderful nature of the performance even more forcibly than Sir lan Hamilton, when he condemned the impossibility of the operations. Mr. Atkinson quoted German references to the Anzac soldiers — "of no military value," "sons of thieves and murderers," and "descendants of criminals." (Hear, hear! remarked one of the Anzacs, and his comrades laughed heartily.) "If it comes to talking of crime the Germans know pretty well what they are talking' about." New Zealand's only regret was that her sons had not been fighting against the Germans instead of the Turks. A man who was not a New. Zealander had said, "Man for man, and, without gas, your men and the Australians would have walked the Germans across Europe." At the same time they must not forget the splendid part played by the British (other than overseas) troops in the operations at the Dardanelles. That they bore their share of the burden was shown by their very heavy casualties. They had rendered equally great service to the Empirei (Great applanse, especially from the soldiers.) The speaker proceeded to refer to the significance of the Anzac performance.' It was, he said, entitled to be classed, in its broad political aspect with Runnymede and Lexington. At Runnymede. Magna Charta was obtained, and at Lexington the action was taken which led to the- broadening of the basis of British colonial administration. Anzac . was an answer to Lexington, It showed that the altered method of colonial administration was successful, and that the overseas Dominions were fitted to take their full share in the government of the Empire. (Applause.)