THE SOLEMN HOUR IS STRIKING

New Zealand Times, Volume XL, Issue 9093, 12 July 1915, Page 7

THE SOLEMN HOUR IS STRIKING

GREAT APPEAL BY LORD KITCHENER PRAISE FOR THE SPLENDID EFFORTS OF THE DOMINIONS'. By Telegraph — Trees Association —Copyright. T „ LONDON. July 9. Lord Kitchener, Secretary of Stato for War, addressing the recruiting meeting, said he was glad of the Lord Mayor’s invitation to attend at too Guildhall and make another and larger demand upon the resources of English manhood. “Our thoughts,’’ ho said, “are naturally turned to the splendid efforts of tho Dominions, who have throughout ranged themselves beside the .Motherland. Tho indian armiea wore reallj 7 the first in the field. The Canadians closely followed them, and are now associated with their AngloFrench comrades in Flanders, presenting a solid and impenetrable front. The Australians and New Zealanders, combined with the Anglo-French in the Dardanelles, have already accomplished a feat of arms amost unexampled for brilliance, and are pushing the campaign to a successful conclusion. In each of the great Dominions now large contingents are preparing. South Africa <s not content with tho successful accomplishment of her arduous campaign in South-West Africa, but is now offering large forces for Europe.” BRITAIN’S MILITARY RESOURCES. Britain, while strengthened by the unflinching support of her fellowcitizens oversea, seeks to develop iter own military resources to the utmost limits. Tho vital need was more, and still more, men. The situation in this respect wits immeasurably better than ton months ago, but_tho position to-day was at least as serious as then. Napoleon had said that three necessaries of war were ‘money, money, money’; our greatest needs of the moment were men, material, and money. The marked success of the war loan was due to its favourably reception in the City. The energetic efforts of tile new Munitions Department are overcoming the difficulties of supplies. _ He (Lord Kitchener) had taken up office as a soldier, not as a politician. He had early warned the country that it was a certainty the war would be arduous and prolonged, and be was of the same opinion now, THOROUGH GERMAN PREPAREDNESS. The thorough preparedness of the Germans was due to their strenuous, high-pressure, and unremitting efforts during forty years, which was shown in their military organisation, as complex as it was perfect. Elaborately organised for imposing German’s will upon other nations, her vast resources and military strength were wielded by an autocracy peculiarly adapted to tho conduct of war. Her long preparation enabled instantaneous use to be made of tho whole of her resources. “Our policy is to gradually increase our effectives. It has been truly said that Germany must decrease and w© must increase.” Tho voluntary system was the nation’s deliberate choice, and necessitated an' army in peace time of slender dimensions with a capacity for potential expansion. We habitually relied upon time being allowed to increase our armies during hostilities. Our military situation in August last was, therefore, normal, but it then became an immediate task for the concurrent despatch of our first Expeditionary Force and the raising of hew armies to provide a strong, steady stream of reinforcements and maintain the army in the field at full fighting strength. There has been a satisfactory and constant flow of recruits. A SLACKENING IN RECRUITING. MI believe the recent slackening in the recruiting has been largely due to temporary influences.” It was difficult to exaggerate the value of the response to his previous appeals; he would there make another for volunteers to come forward and defend the country. He was unwilling to ask for men in excess of the equipment available, but happily the limitations in regard to material had been surmounted. There was sufficient arms and clothing to convert all recruits into efficient soldiers; therefore he made an unrestricted call for men. The larger the Army, the greater the need for overswelling its numbers, in order to maintain it at its full strength. Something more was now required to ensure the enlistment of a largo reserve, which was imperatively needed. AN IMPERIOUS PATHETIC APPEAL. Tie gallant soldiers in the fighting line were beckoning with an urgency which was both imperious and pathetic. They were urging the home-stayers zo come out and play their part. Therefore, we must go a step further and attract those who from various causes have not yielded to their patriotic impulses. National registration, when completed, would ©nablo him to note the men’ between nineteen and forty years of age who are not required for making munitions, and for other necessary work. Steps will bo taken to secure tho enlistment of ail possible, firstly from the unmarried men. The work of registration would occupy some weeks; meantime, it was paramount that as many as possible should join and expedite the training. He appealed to tho employers to release all men qualified for service, replacing them with ineligibles and women. Lack of encouragement on the part of some of the employers would dissuade many who dare not risk their broad and butter. CASUALTY LISTS INDICATE THE NEEDS. It was inexpedient to shout abroad the numbers likely to be required, because the figures would jprovo useful to tho enemy. He had often been urged to afford greater information as to the whereabouts of regiments. This would be precisely of value to the enemy. A German prince in a high command has ruefully admitted his complete ignorance of our new armies. The casualty lists sufficiently indicated the needs at, the front. A large percentage of men suffering from comparatively slight wounds would soon return to the firing line. A WORD ABOUT SHIRKERS. Referring to shirkers, Lord Kitchener said that probably wie absolute donothings were fewer than was commonly supposed, but he wished that those engaged m patriotic work would ask themselves the question whether they had a real reason for not joining. Ho thought that many who became special constables were qualified for higher service. Some men said tney did not see why they should go until fetched. “Granted that legally you need not go if you choose,” Lord Kitchener added, “but is it not morally up to you? JVill you do your duty only when the law says you must ? It is a matter for your conscience. Make up .your minds quickly. “In every man’s life there is a supreme hour, towards which all earlier experiences move, from which all future results are reckoned. That solemn hour is striking for every Briton. Lot us heed the opportunity now or never; shirk nothing, shrink from nothing, lend our full weight to the impetus which shall carry us to riotory in the cause of our honour and freedom.”