NEED OF THE EMPIRE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16848, 13 May 1918, Page 6

NEED OF THE EMPIRE.

THE CALL FOR GREAT MEN. Some -war references made by Mr. V. J. Lamer, president of the Auckland Orphans' Club, at the opening meeting of the 1918 season on Saturday evening were heartily applauded. 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 the navy v on the Belgian coast. (Applause.) It is with pride and pleasure that we hear that Sew Zealand was represented. With it we can couple the historic landing on Gallipoli. (Applause Pessimists the faint-hearted and croakers should take courage. With such a navy and army as our's victory must be with aSS* 8 the fla « is fnrled - (Applause.) i** >*£ cati be Baid of **»<»• who are left at home to direct and control, - and how are they doing, their work?" asked Mr. Lamer. "Thinking people are asking that question, and are inquiring if the best brains of the Empire are left "to face the great problems at present to he faced, and others which must be faced after the war. The nation i* calling for its greatest men, men with great principles aisa ideals men whose love of country stands first' men who - are not biassed by fear or favour but whose sense of reward is. that they have served their country. The tropire is not only catering for Her gieat men but is calling us to rid us of the small men who are occupying great men's places and positions, and those who have been given important Government posi WIT ** ,c V hey > ■» not competent.to hold. (Applause.) * '", I *,.- B ,'* regrettable thing that slackers and shirkers should be allowed to smirch the fair name of a nation." continued Mr. Larner. "and that our Empire should have men of such a type swfeeste tbafc something is lacking, or something is «S?*?W 1S % ma " err£ r «» n grat»Jation that feaere are few in this cotmtrv The greatness of a nation rests on the unity and concord of its subjects. Our sphere of influence » practically confined to New Zealand-the outpost of civnisation-hoT let us make that influence felt to the interest of this fair Dominion and the good of its people." (Applause ) °