“WE ARE HARD PRESSED, HELP US.”

Gisborne Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 4862, 7 May 1918, Page 2

“WE ARE HARD PRESSED, HELP US.”

MESSAGE FROM THE KING."

BATHURST. April 28. The Governor (Sir Waltei Davidson), in a stirring address at King’spa.rade.last night, said.: r . I bring’ a message from the King. Hie King has sent to the GavernorGeneral and the Prime Minister the message:

- ‘\Ve are hard pressed, help us.’’ The British nation, the English, speaking people, are hard pressed. They possibly stand to be beaten by the German-speaking people. Are you going to take on the servitude that the German-speaking people would impose on yqii if tficy win? The ]X)sition is so serious that the

King lias asked all Britons to help. It is not- a matter that you can pass over idly,, and slip quietly off, it is much too serious For eight months we will have to fight the battle until the Americans come in and help us. Then next year, if we can weather this year, the Americans will be there, and the English" speaking people will win. (Applause.) . We are now in the position in which many great nations have been before us. In the whole of history, with one exception, the Roman Empire, all the nations that have controlled the world, and - have been masters of the sea, have’ all perished in a regular cycle of 50 years. They worked up their greatness because they were sturdy folk. For the next 50 years they enjoyed that greatness, but became deteriorated by too much luxury and ease and pride; and' for the third 50 years they fought with their backs to the

wall against nations better than themselves. We have been for 100 years the greatest people in the* world. We have firmly and most honestly, I believe, used our power to the best advantage. I know hardly any case in which, having the power; we have misused it. The whole history of our people lias been to its very best credit I am now speaking to men who are national, and who really believe in the British Empire. Men who are Britons.

I am now speaking to those folic who do not admit the principles of of nationality. There are some among us who are international folk, who would as soon bo under German administration as under o'urs: but we know better than that. None of us would care to sey ve for three years in keeping the Poles in subjection, to bo under the German yoke, or doing garrison work in Turkey in order that the British interests there should-be suppressed in favor of Germany’s. All that sort of tiling will come if we once let the* great power pass out of our hands into the hands of Germany. You have all road or heard of the way in which the Germans terrorise other people. Tile Belgians, the French, the Poles, the Russians and all the rest. That does not come home to us because we have not felt it-

When I speak to you, and I have no real business to, speak, as it is not part of my duty or office, ,it is out jof the feelings of my heart. Do ; not allow any trails to be drawn aci ross the line of argument. People talk about Australia for Australians. Certainly Australia belongs to Australia, and slie is the Australians’, but is is only Australian _ for Australia so long as the British licet is strong enough to guard it (Applause.) United we stand, but divided we fall. Do not bo put off by any international ideas or by the stories such as I have heard of the bad treatment of returned soldiers. Some men will always complain ; but there will always be justice done where the British flag is flying. (Applause.) Men come hack from this great war unite changed: mostly they are for bigger men than before they went. They have seen the world, and know the difference between what we are fighting for. and what we are fighting against. It is a matter for the greatest education of our people that they, should go abroad. Do not be-put off by any stories that- imply that all. or nearly all, men are starving for want of bread when they return from the front. We know that the first charge of the country will be the good of those who went. Your conscience is your only rule. There is no compulsion, hut for God’s sake, boys, do your duty. ’ —i(Loud applause).