“OUR WAR”

New Zealand Times, Volume XL, Issue 9042, 13 May 1915, Page 5

“OUR WAR”

PRAISE FOR JiUSTRALASIMS “WE SHAIiL NOT FORGET.” By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright LONDON, May 11. The Hon. J. C. Watson, first leader of the Federal Parliamentary Labour party, and formerly Prime Minister of the Commonwealth, was entertained at luncheon, in the House of Commons by the Empire Parliamentary Association. Mr Lewis Harcourt (Secretary of State for the Colonies) presided, and unong those present wore:—Sir George ileid (High Commissioner for Australia), Captain Muirhead Collins (Secretary to the High Commissioner), Hon. Thomas Mackenzie (nigh Commissioner for New Zealand), Sir James NewtonMoore (Agent-General for AVest Australia), Sir Thomas .Robinson (AgentGeneral for Queensland), Hon. If. AAh Young (Agent-General for South Australia), Hon. G. H. Ferley (Canada), Hon. \V. P. Schreiner (ex-Frimo Minister of Cape Colony), Lord Islington (Under-Secretary to the Colonial Office and ex-Govemor of New Zealand), Lord Sydenham (ex-Governor of Victoria), Lord Emmott (ex- Under-Secretary to the Colonial Office), Sir Gilbert Parker (M.P. for Gravesend), and many members of the House of Commons. Mr Lewis Harcourt said that Mr Watson must be proud to be there to learn the prowess of the Australians and New Zealanders in the Dardanelles. Though, unhappily, loss was concurrent' with their great achievement, he could assure Australia that “ We shall not forget."

Air Watson, in reply, said that Australians were pre-eminently a peaceful people, concerned in the development of an immense territory. The present war was not a Mother Country war; it was “ Our War,” and from that point of view Australia approached it. Ho was gratified that our troops had upheld the glory and tradition of the flag, and quoted Mr Fisher’s “ Last man last shilling” utterance. Australians, he said, regretted the necessity for prosecuting the war, but it must be prosecuted to the last degree. A suggestion had been made that they should appeal to the better nature of Germany to bring the war to a conclusion, but tbe sinking of the Lusitania was the best answer to that suggestion. It was impossible to bring things home to a nation cradled in militarism, without breaking the back of the military power. Any peace short of this would be a most suicidal policy on thO part of the Allies. . He urged Mr Harcourt to expedite au informal gathering of overseas representatives before the conclusion of the war. No possible harm could bo done, and a great deal of good might he accomplished by getting the mind of men overseas with respect to war problems which had arisen. They were now statesmen of the Empire, and were not likely to subject the Imperial Government to any embarrassment. . _ Mr Watson sails for America to-mor-row.

ENLISTMENT OF_FOOTBAIIERS By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright SYDNEY, May 12. Six hundred and eighty Rugby, Union players and oyer IUOO Eugby League players hare enlisted.' BISHOP SADLIER INTERVIEWED WHAT MANY PEOMINENT MEN THINK. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright FREMANTLE, May 12. Bishop Sadlier, of Nelson, who is fl passenger by the Ostorley, stated that many prominent men at Homo thought that the war would end suddenly with the economic! collapse of Germany. It would be necessary to see that such was a collapse, and not a German subterfuge. _ , „ Eeferring to submarines. Bishop Sadlier said that Germany had lost many more than was generally known, owing to secret British preventive measures. GERMiN AEROPLANE DROPS BOMBS MANY PERSONS INJURED. By Telegraph-Frees Association—Copyri gli I PARIS, May 11. A Taube dropped several bombs at St. Denis, which did much damage. Many persons were inj ured. Aeroplanes drove it off. DRINK PROBLEM MR LLOYD GEORGE EXPLAINS HIS BILL. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright LONDON, May 11. In the House of Commons, the Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr Uoyd George) explained the provisions of the bill dealing with the drink question. The Government, ho said, proposed that the hill be administered by a central board, which would advise the Government on the question of areas. In the latter, efficient local committees of employers and workmen already existed. The supply of liquor would be in the hands of the Government, and could only be obtained through the local committees. The Government was prepared to appoint a committee to inquire regarding the White Paper’s statements relative to the drinking habits of the working classes. Mr Henderson (the Labour leader) said the party would do everything to make the Act effective.