THE EMPIRE'S GALL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLV, Issue XLVIII, 16 December 1914, Page 5

THE EMPIRE'S GALL

NEW ZEALAND'S SPLENDID RESPONSE. LONDON, October 23. Mr C. <J. Tegetmeier, chairman of tho Auckland Electric Tramways Company, prefaced his business remarks at yesterday's meeting by observing that they wore met at an exceptional time in the history of their country, and the thoughts of all were concentrated upon the tremendous conflict in which tho Empire was engaged. As a company carrying on its business in New Zealand, the shareholders on this side would feel a particular interest in the splendid' manner in which New Zealand had responded to the Empire's call. (Applause.) - New Zealand was a comparatively small community, and we should realise tho Expeditionary Force of 8000 men that tho Dominion was providing—and there were many more to follow—was proportionate in number to about three hundred and fifty thousand from a population of the sizo of the TJnfted Kingdom. Within three weeks of tho declaration of war tho force was complete, and Now' Zealand was able to' cable to tho War Oflico that it was ready

)to embark :ii .v nVoliYoiVft'* notice for any* part of the worfelv Speaking us one IkvcT been intimately connected with A'av* Zealand for fori<>•<!;(rii, Mr Tegetnieier thought Jio ; Jrtifihft ha allowed to express a personal! 1 ?e£liiVGj cf( gratification at the fine sspiriliof pWSi'iGtism- find loyalty to the .Empfo't* which #vy ; h*nd had exhibited ofJ this as on pr(M >M*s" occasions. (Applause.) This personal would be still stronger in the case at 'iVitj- colleagues—- > Lieut.-Colonel Burton • Jfjlr; 3Lio The company had ccMVi'i'bulm) £10(JO' (!<*■» lifto Patriotic Fund whi'-dl Wu.f/> ! being rainfcitf iw ]&ew Zealand in cof/iYeotion with tin.' wa-i?, and ho felt suro tTrafi' shareholders wotiM : heartily endorse the' action of the directors'- ■ .Later in the meeting Mr Leo Myers said he was sure New Zealtffflel would appreciate the remarks made MrJ'ege.imeitrr. Those 'uf them,' wh<y acquainted with the spirstf aiicil soul o? Xv-\v Zealand would, not fMM? beOii' surprised at the attitude of l/u'i'Winidtis towards ihe Mother Country" in this tVEsis - .. Tho fact was that the greater the distance from ifjc heart of tho Empire the greater was the loyalty. There was no intcirtion on the part of New Zcalandcrs to conic under the form of government which Germany represented.