THE PRIME MINISTER

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7915, 26 September 1911, Page 6

THE PRIME MINISTER

AN ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION. The Prime Minister (Sir Joseph Ward), who had a hearty reception in which cheers were loudly mingled, was the next speaker. He said he saw a number of old pioneers in front of him with their war medals upon them, and among them were also some of their sons likewise wearing medals. (Applause.) Could the thoughts of the audience go back to the day when a few men from tiro Mother Country came out here and planted the British flag. These were none too soon, for had not information been given by the ofheer of a ship another nation might have forestalled the jilanting of the flag under which we were now living. Did the people realise that the necessity was greater now than ever before for implanting, especially in the younger generation, tnc need for preserving tho independence, the freedom, and the integrity of the race. (Applause.) It would have neon impossible to continue under the old regime. In the last ten or fifteen years a great political economic and social change had taken place in every country in the world. THE NEW DIGNITY. We wei'e not in the position to-day. Therefore, though some people, referring to the name Dominion might ask “What’s in a name?" he would say there was a good deal in tho name in this case. In the Old Country he had found that since we had been given the designation “Dominion” many people regarded ns as grown from childhood to nationhood. They realised from it that there must bo something in the people of a country that could make _ such a rapid advance. (Applause.) New Zealand was the only one of the colonies which had enjoyed the distinction of having its designation changed in this way. (Applause.) Why should the people be impressed with the necessity of observing Dominion Day? For the mere pleasure of it? Certainly not! For making ostentatious display? Most certainly not! Dominion Day should be observed for tho reason that it impressed upon everyone that we. required to have no mistake made'in regard to the enormous responsibility that rested upon the shoulders of tho people, and would rest upon them as time went on. He asked the people of business and social life, the members of all branches of the community, to realise that it was of the first importance that the strength and position of the British dominions should be maintained. In this country, in its die-!

tant situation from the centre of activity and all that this implied to us, we should realise that we had great responsibilities in tho future as a British country. Headers of the newspapers would have noticed how recently, without warning and before the fact was -scarcely realised, we appeared to be on the verge of troubleDEPENDENCE ON THE NAVY. Wo required to keep our eyes open. _Wo had to depend upon the British Navy almost entirely, and though we were doing our part in getting ready to protect our hearth and Home, we realised that, first of all, to the jiower of the British Navy and to tho pluck and courage of its men must we first look—to the men who would bo as true to their duty as in the days when Nelson used his Historic signal, “England ejects every man to do his duty/' (Applause.) NO POLITICS IN DEFENCE. There were no politics connected with the defence of our countxy- (Applause.) i hey realised what was going on in the world, apart from the Continent. Within the last twenty -years a country with which wo were happily associated for defence purposes had risen from • the position of a fifth-rate to a first-rate power. And there was also the great nation alongside with its teeming millions. Some people in New Zealand were saying that we-ought not to undertake a defence scheme because it was unnecessary. The first section that would feel trouble in case of war would bo those who had to make their living by their hands and the sweat of their brow. So, Dominion Day was not a sentimental sham, but it impressed New Zealanders with tho fact that they had a country worth preserving —a beautiful country worth living in. Lot people talk as they liked about political matters; that was of no consequence when the national life of tho country was at stake. (Applause.) "Let us alter those glorious words which moan so much to the people in another part of the Empire Breathes there a man with soul so dead Who never to himself hath said Now Zealand is my own, my native land/ - ’ (Applause.) Things wore changing, continued Sir Joseph. ‘Within live years the policy of protecting the heart of the Empire had had to bo changed. Ships had been drawn from the outposts to the coasts of England. Could not New Zealand do a little to impress upon the Motherland that it could with some advantage do what we wore doing? What a glorious thing it would be if from end to end of the United Kingdom there was a system in operation which would allow of such a splendid gathering of cadets as was seen that afternoon. (Applause.) The gathering that evening was a practical indication that all classes of the community should co-operate to make Dominion Day a national day, when all could join to show attachment to their country and to the British flag and throne. (Applause.) In the present King, the nation possessed a man of keen discrimination and sound judgment, one who would carry out the duties attached to his position in a way that would command the respect of the great majority of the people. Now Zealand did not celebrate its national day in a spirit of jingoism, but with a desire to help on this portion of tho Empire, so that it could maintain effectively its place in the galaxy of nations which made up the British Empire. (Loud applause.) The Prime Minister, in conclusion led the gathering in three cheers to the Mayor, and in hearty applause for the evenings entertainers. THE MUSICAL ITEMS.

lu good rousing style Mr C. Clarkson gave ‘'Hearts of Oak,” receiving hearty applause. Mr 11. N. Fletcher sang Alfred Hill’s sweet little song "Home Little Maori, Home.” Receiving an. enthusiastic recall, Mr Fletcher repeated the last verse. Mr J. Carr sang with effect ‘"The Englishman” (Blookly), and for an encore gave the "The Death of Nelson.” An old favourite with Wellington audiences, Mr F. V. Waters, contributed “A Song of Empire,” the words of which are by J. Liddell Kelly and the music by Alfred Hill. The accompaniments were played by Mr Dave Kenny.