ON BEADING 'THE ISLANDEKRS'

Otago Witness, Issue 2504, 19 March 1902, Page 59

ON BEADING 'THE ISLANDEKRS'

Men of the strongei nation still of a povser-to-be! Men of a nation that cvei was Queen of the Uttermost Sea We who are tried of the ages, th« great^i force in the world, What is the le-son to learn to keep oia Flsg unfurled ? Are we a nation ox warrior 0 , c e?lung ever fov strife, Needing an education in part for a fighting life, Teaching our cons to be soldiers— is th s ill? s;ame to learn — Making a rule for their quide 1 nee 9 Each to fight in his turn 9 Is this the game to be followed to show our Empire's worth "' Do all of U3 need to be fighteis I to reign as kings of the earth By force of arms and practice, to make for a despot mle, Till men shall c?ase to deride us and chide at " the flannelled fool." How long would the grand o'd But sh lunom a dominant race, How long would we take to tire of this qirckstcp militaiy pace If aj! of our men were fighters, in their smew and- bone, • And nothing but military sp^nt would gove-n behind the throne 9 We have always been a nation that stood for all that vrrs worth Since ever the Anglo-Saxon rr.ee sprang into glorious birth, And we've made a name for our business, fo; braint, perhaps for sport, And a reputation as fighteis, but, of romse, that matters naught. Perhaps we'll be abe to hold on. ov.-r, if anyone looks for tight , We've always tried to do our best, we'\ p tried to uphold the right, And perhaps this lesson's not needed -wel 1 I don't think it is, to-day. For soldieis will ever be hern, no' made oi any emotional clay. 'Tis little we get foi the tak.im, but the asking may much a'-ail With the men who lore then tnuiti\ w n io would rather die than fail To keep the Empires prettige m.uiitan.el o'." . land and sea — The home of the honest Butish lace the kingdom of the free. And free we always iw!l be, wh.le hi^to-v -lihll record The deeds^ accomplished by Hoh"-l K.tMit, aid l.ot by fire and swora. And. as long ?s the world shall lust wo !, 0,-e0 ,-c for Honourable I'c-ace, Prosperity welcome whil-t wais and ,„„„„,,. of iiJi s fall j.ll c rase. „ , „ , A Doiolis A. Uu- edn:, I-obiiiaiy 21, 19U1.