A CRITICAL TIME

New Zealand Times, Volume XL, Issue 9042, 13 May 1915, Page 9

A CRITICAL TIME

APPRECIATION OF THE EXPEDITIONARY FORCE. Responding to a congratulatory address at his installation yesterday, the Mayor of Wellington (Mr J. P. Luke) said that the present wds a critical time in the history of the Empire. The British people were undergoing trial and stress, and the hearts of all beat in sympathy with the gallant men who were fighting the Empire’s battles at the Dardanelles, in Europe, and in Africa. New Zealand’s appreciation of their splendid spirit would permeate the' heagts of those at the front. Mo r thers, wives, and relatives had made great sacrifices, and the ladies _ as a whole were to the fore in their duty and the work of love in equipping the "soldiers. This, was a unique time in tlie history of the city, the country, the Empire, and the world. Those in the room would not be called upon during the rest of their lives to witness and experience the things that were happening every day in Wellington alone. It was moved by the Mayor and seconded by Councillor Barber: “That this council place on record its high appreciation of the Splendid bravery displayed by our expeditionary force, in company with other Aus--tralasian troops, acting ,in concert with the British and their Allies in Europe, ■and of the noble spirit of self-sacrifice of the relatives of the, fallen and the wounded who have given their services in the defence of the Empire.” The motion was carried, councillors standing- as a mark of respect.