EMPIRE UNITED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15685, 12 August 1914, Page 8

EMPIRE UNITED.

A GREAT DEMONSTRATION.

IMPERIALISTIC SPEECHES.

DOMINION'S FINE EXAMPLE.

[bt TKLEGKAPH.— association].

Wellington, Tuesday.

The Town Hall has eeen many enthusiastic meetings, but none so enthusiasts as the patriotic demonstration held tonight. The proceedings opened and closed with the singing of the National Anthem. The most noticeable feature of the meeting was tho deep earnestness and sincerity pith which the people regarded their duly in the present crisis in tho affairs of the Empire. The Mayor, Mr. J. P. Luke, presided .over the gathering, and tit Plight Hon. W. \F. Massey, Prime Minister, the Hon. J. Allen, Minister for Defence, the Hon. F. M. B. Fisher, Minister for Marine, tho Hon. A. L. Hcrdman, Attorney-General, tho Hon. R. Heaton Rhodes, Postmaster-General, the Hon. Dr. Pomare, Native Minister, and Sir Joseph Ward, Leader of the Opposition, were on the platform. ' ">fc

The Prime Minister, who was recerrri with acclamation, said that New Zealand was thinking the same sentiments as Wellington. Proceeding, lie said it is nearly 100 years since the battle of Waterloo. Germany and France have been Britain's allies in the past, and to-day Russia and France were her allies against the great military State of Germany. Ho predicted a similar ending to this war as in the case of the Napoleonic wan. (Applause.) The old lion and the young lions were fighting side by side against oppression. Ho predicted that in a few ■weeks the German ships would be at-the bottom of the North Sear- (cheers) !or manned by Britishers under the British Ensign.

The enemies of the Empire had hoped o find it torn by dissension, but today ill differences have been dropped and tW Empire stood united. The rulers of the Empire, were not afraid to do what was right, and what had happened last week made one proud of being a citizen of New Zealand. The self-sacrifice shown by New Zealanders had few parallels m the world's history. Poor men as well as rich had given not only money, bat labour and in kind.

The Hon. James Allen said that it was a time for action not words. New Zealand had responded nobly to the Empire' call. There was no compulsion, «nd there was no lack of young men to give their lives if need be for New Zealand and the Empire. He knew that the thoughts of all would follow the contingent, and he hoped that all would return safely. hi conclusion he impressed upon the audiencethe' fact that the Dominion was part of » whole that must stand together or go to pieces. But it would not go to pieces. (Applause.) Peace and prosperity would follow the strain and stress, and heappealed to aSI to carry on the industry of the country as though the crisis did noli exist. ",,. Sir Joseph Ward said that national honour knew no party. He realised the patriotic spirit that prevailed over all the country. This was tho result of a' l recognising that when the Motherland required to dofond herself, they wero all » it. To neglect one's country was to perish with it. Most of them marvelled to see the Germans aim for a portion they have no chance of gaining- W- ' many miscalculated the temper of the British people, tho Irish, Scotch, ana tt ° Welsh, as well as tho English. A fW spectacle for the world had been the way in which tho Prime Minister »nd himself—(laughter)— their differences to defend the flag. (Applause.) Tho& thing had happened in Ireland.■"(AP'., plause.) Germany, he said, had been' disturbing force for 20 years, and had ; thought that the mailed list would h&T»intimidated England, but she m jffl taken. Nothing could disturb the vim: [of the Empire, /"ft