RECRUITING ROUR IN OUTHLAND.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16642, 14 March 1916, Page 8

RECRUITING ROUR IN OUTHLAND.

am JOSEPH WARD BOSY. SOME VIGOROUS ADDRESSEES. (Pes United Pbbss Association.) INVERCARGILL, March 13. Sir Joseph Ward visited Winton this morning,' and delivered an address in support of tho new recruiting scheme. Despite tho inconvenient hour, the meeting was a representative one, and was well attended. fair Joseph Ward explained the scheme exhaustively, and made a strong appeal for co-operation with the Government. He mentioned that the medical standard had been lowered' since last year, and _ said that men previously rejected should bo invited to offer their services again, and that the dental associations had been instructed to deal with tho' teeth troubles of recruits free of charge. Tho country had a very heavy responsibility, and there was nothing- to justify any of thqiu allowing their political aspirations or inclinations to oomo between them and preventing the war from being won. That was the reason that he had not raised a political issue of any kind since the formation of the National Cabinet. That was the only way they could standi shoulder to shoulder, ana there could be no possible settlement of politioal difficulties until they had their victories behind them and an honourable peace declared. In convoying a vote of thanks the Mayor assured Sir Joseph Ward of the support of the Winton district for the scheme. Afterjwirds Sir Joseph and Lady Ward were entertained 1 at dinner by tho Mayor j and councillors. GORE, March 12.

Sir Joseph Ward addressed a recruiting meeting in the Theatre Royal to-night. There were about 1000 people present, including a large number of young men. The Mayor (Mr D. M'Dougalf) presided, and on, the platform were the members of tho strong and representative Recruiting Committee that has recently beeA set up. Sir Joseph Ward had a splendid reception, and his stirring address, which was listened to with tho greatest interest, and heartily applauded from time to time, is calculated to do a considerable amount of good in the cause of voluntaryism. Sir Joseph pointed out that New Zealandhad done magnificently up -to the present— (applause),—but there were some who did not yet realise their duty, and the recruiting Board had -been set up for the purpose of pointing out to them the way they should go.—(Applause.) He believed that Britain and her Allies would haw a great and glorious victory, but he would like those who had don*} very little in the present crisis to reoliso what it would mean if Prussian militarism were to be established in this oountry. Did the farmers who owned land free of mortgages and those who had mortgages realise what it would mean if England and her gallant Allies went down? They would get nothing for their land. As a matter of fact, if Germany had the chance to fly her flag over this country the whole of the value of the private estates, including business houses and lands, would be infinitesimal compared with the amount that would be demanded from t/he people of this oountry in tho way of indemnity. "Wo are not on a recruiting tour for the purpose of delivering speeches and playing to the gallery," he added. "We are on this recruiting campaign because we realise the enormous responsibility that is placed upon us and upon every man and woman in the country." Referring to Home politics, Sir Joseph said that in the future every portion of the self-governing dominions must havo a say as to now Great Britain was to carry on the wars of the ■ future.—(Applause.) It was impossible for tho outlying portions of the Empire to go on without having a voice in the affairs of the great old Empire for whom so many thousands were sacrificing their lives. —(Applause.) Touching on \politics, Sir Joseph said tho duty devolving upon the active spirits on both sides was to stand shoulder to shoulder in the national interest. This was' what the party leaders were doing. Although that state of affairs might wound tho susceptibilities of some men, and lead to a little irritation among individuals here and there, the National Government could not bother its brains about any phase of party politics when the war interests were supreme.—((Applause.) "Let us win this war right out," he said. " Let us see the flag of victory flying and an honourable and lasting peace proclaimed. The party politicians can do what they like afterwards."—(Applause.) This was not the time for men to take advantage of a delicate and difficult situation for the purpose of pushing any political barrow. "I say with all sincerity that I would ratJher see both parties wiped out of existence altogether than soe anything happening that would prevent us from carrying this war to a successful . There should be no pin-pricking against any Minister or individual. They should bear and forbear, and wait until the war was over for anything of a jarring nature.—(Applause.) Some people were crying out for New Zealand to raise a large war loan, locally. , Well, why did not some of them subscribe to the recent £2,000,000 loan? Ho had been told, and people had written to hijm to the effect, that the dominion must raise'a war loan and give 5 per cent. "They won't get more than per cent, for an internal ldan as far as I am concerned," ho said emphatically, amid an outburst of hearty applause. _ _ — At the conclusion of his address Sir Joseph was heartily applauded. Mr G. J. Anderson, M.P., moved—"That this meeting of GoTe citizens heartily thanks Sir Joseph Ward for his address, that it approves and adopts the scheme of tho National Recruiting Board, and pledges itself to assist the committees of the district in making it a thorough success." The motion was carried unanimously, and with- enthusiasm, tho meeting closing with cheers' for Sir Joseph Ward. Subsequently Sir Joseph was entertained at supper by the Recruiting Committee at the Southland dub Hotel.