NEED OF THE EMPIRE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LII, Issue 113, 16 May 1918, Page 2

NEED OF THE EMPIRE.

CALL FOR GREAT JEEX.

Some war references were made by Mr V. J. Lamer, president of the -Auckland Ortthans' Club.. at ;.tho opening meeting of the 1918 season on Saturday. Mr Lamer said the Navy and the Army -were doing their jobs magnificently" ".Fresh in our memory,' he said, "is the last daring deed of iho Navy on the Belgian coast. It is ■with pride and pleasure that we hear" that New Zealand' was represented. With it we can couple the historic landing on Galb'noli. Pessimists, the faint-hearted, and! croakers should take courage. With such a Navy _ and Army°as our's victorv must be with ut» before the flag is furled. "What can be said of those who are left at home to direct and control, and how are thev dm'ntr their work?" asked Mr Lamer- " "Thirl: Jpt people are asking thpt *•• ":tion. and are inquiring if the best brains of the Empire are left to,-face the creat problems at present, to" be faced and others which must be faced after the war. The nation is calling for its greatest men—men with great principles and ideals, men whose lova of ronntrv stand's fir?' men who are not biased bv fear or < • vour. bu* whose sense of reward is that hey have perved their countrv. The 1 mmre is not onlv catering for her gr-af. men. but is calling us to rid us of the small men who are occupying -great men? places and positions' .and those who have been d'ven important Government-, positions which they are not competent to hold. (Applause* "It is a regrettable thing that lacKers and" shirkers should be allowed to smirch the fair name of a continued Mr Lamer, "and that ouEmpire should have men of such <a tvpe suggests that something « \ackhi£, or something is wrong. It■» " matter for >onsrra.tulation that there Se few in this country. of a nation rests' on the unity and 'concord of influence is practically t* New fair Domin- , ion and the .good of its people. ,Appiausc.l