CONFIDENCE IN KITCHENER

New Zealand Times, Volume XL, Issue 9094, 13 July 1915, Page 5

CONFIDENCE IN KITCHENER

THE VOLUNTARY SYSTEM ON ITS TRIAL By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. , “Times” and Sydney “Sun” Services (.Received July 12, 7.4.0 p.m.) .LONDON, July 12. At the Guildhall meeting. Sir Edward Carson, Attorney-General, in proposing a vote of thanks to Lord Kitchener, warmly pledging the meeting to support his appeal, said that Lord Kitchener possessed the absolute confidence of the Cabinet; and what was more, the absolute confidence of the country. The nation would give him whatever he asked in order to reach a final victory. No poorer .service could be rendered by any man to his country than to attempt, in the smallest degree, to shake the confidence of the nation in Lord Kitchener. (Cheers.) in a great struggle for existence, victory could never be won by a policy’ ot pin-pricks. The voluntary system was on its trial. Did anybody* doubt that, if it failed,, we ought to hesitate to appiy compulsory service? (Cheers.) Lord Derby, in seconding the vote, said that, as a practical recruiter, he knew where they wanted the flood. They were at present experiencing something of a drought. He resented embarrassing qustions being asked m and out of Parliament. If spies were shot in a moat of the Tower, if he had his way those who asked tke Government these questions would he taken there and shot too. (Cheers.) If they failed to obtain men by the present system, they would then have the right to go to Lord Kitchener and say: “There are other powers. Put them into force.” (Cheers.) • Mr Churchill, in moving a vote of thanks to the Lord Mayor, said he thought he had a right to repudiate the dangerous and libellous suggestions, which had been scattered broadcast, that it was due to Britain’s shortcomings that the war would not ho brought to a speedy conclusion. He regretted disputations about things past. People should not waste their energies on sterile controversies, hut keep their hatred for the common enemy.