VALOUR OF BRITISH ARMS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17234, 9 August 1919, Page 9

VALOUR OF BRITISH ARMS.

TRIBUTES IN PARLIAMENT. RALLYING OF MEN TO' FLAG* HEBOISM OF THOSE AFLOAT. By Telegraph— Association— Copjpsrht. A. and N.Z. LONDON. Aug. 7. The House of Commons to-day passed a resolution expressing thanks to the forces for their great "work during the war. Mr. Lloyd George, in moving the resolution, opened -with a glowing eulogy*? of Marshal Foch. The war would have been won by the valour, endurance, and resources qf the allied armies without Marshal Foch's leadership, but only his genius made victory in 1918 possible. - The declaration of war was a challenge to the nobility of our race. No nation could have disregarded it without losing its self-respect and becoming a despised people. We owed thanks to Mr. Asquith and Viscount Grey for taking the decision which saved the land from shame. One of the most thrilling events of the history of the world was the rallying of millions of men to the flag. That episode would always be honourably associated with the great name of Lord Kitchener. He doubted if any war had such multitudes of men displaying sucn sustained courage. What was true of the battlefield was equally true of the sea. The mercantile marine faced horrors even worse than those of the battlefields. Fifteen thousand men had fallen victims to the cruellest, the most dastardly piracy ever perpetrated. Everywhere on land, sea, and in the ah-, the strain on the heart, nerve, will and courage of men was beyond anything described in the history of the world. It was a matter of just pride that Britain fought better, displayed greater daring and endurance, and delivered more vigorous, mightier, and more terrible blows in the last year of the war than ever! before." _ The Premier paid an elo-] quent tribute to the women's auxi- J liary services. I

Regarding the Dominions, it 'was only necessary to peruse the truly dazzling list of victories gained by the gallant overseas troops in order to realise the greatness of their share in the happy issues of the war. We rejoiced as much as they that the Dominions, through the valour of their sons, won a prominent place in the fraternity of nations. Mr. Lloyd George paid a tribute to the industrial workers, to whom we owed the celerity, efficiency, and completeness with which our arms were equipped. The House was deeply affected when he referred to the men and women who bore the racking strain of anxiety and grief. Only in this great day did we know how much agony was brought to millions of homes and the measure of silent heroism displayed. Those who bad shown such qualities would show them again to save the Motherland from danger if the need' came through subtler and therefore more formidable perils.

In the House of Lords, Earl Crewe paid a tribute to Earl Kitchener as the only British Minister whomever laid down his life in war.

The House of Lords passed the votes standing.