THE EMPIRE’S CALL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3195, 9 June 1915, Page 37

THE EMPIRE’S CALL.

MEW ZEALAND'S RESPONSE

FALLEN SOLDIEES’ FUND

CARNIVAL AT WELLINGTON

A BIG EFFORT. WELLINGTON, June 3

To-day witnessed the official opening by the Governor (Lord Liverpool) of a carnival organised by the citizens m aid of the fund for wounded soldiers and sailors and the dependents of those who may fall at the front. Many willing committees had put in weeks ot labour on various sections ot the programme, and the result was that when the procession traversed the city streets this forenoon it afforded a spectaclenever before witnessed in the capital city. The procession was quite two miles long, and included many attractive displays bytrades and other organisations as well as representatives of various candidates for the honour of election to the position of Queen of the Carnival. Children formed a prominent feature in the procession, and there was a creditable representation of a battleship built up on a lorry, also a display of ambulance work by nurses and soldiers. A school children’s parade was organised hydro Labour Department, and made a fine picture. Record crowds lined all the thoroughfares, and Newtown Park, which was the point for which the procession headed, has probably never contained so many people before.

After the Governor had officially declared the carnival open, sports were hold on the green, and many stalls for the sale of all kinds of .articles wore placed about the grounds, and did good business. Altogether the whole of the carnival arrangements reflected great credit on the organisers, and it is anticipated that the result will be a very largo addition to tho funds. The carnival will bo continued for the next four weeks. SPEECH BY THE GOVERNOR, WELLINGTON, Juno 3. In his speech at the official opening of the Citizens’ Carnival, in aid of the funds for wounded soldiers and sailors, his Excellency the Governor said: “ There are two ways ol doing what is right. They arc—by the State alone, and by the State aided by wellwishers who want to give expression to their esprit d.g corps. I believe that phrase ‘ esprit do corps ’ is to all of us a very great significance, especially under tho circumstances in which wo are now placed. I for one should be* very sorry to see individual effort stifled and everything done on hard-and-fast 1 nos. This committee has appealed to the citizens of Wellington to do something for tho Patriotic Fund be- < .ir.se it th night that every citizen of Wellington would like to have a personal interest, in the show and ti do something for the object for which tho carnival was promoted. When 1 made tho appeal to tho people of New Zealand a fortnight ago those wore tho sentiments that actuated me. I was well aware that it did not depend on any party in tho State whether or not tho wounded were cared for. I knew they wonld bo cared for in any case, but the expressions of feeling that have reached mo by letter and telegram have assured mo that my appeal has touched a very largo n mber of people in tho dominion who wanted the opportunity to give personal expression to their feelings. There arc hard times in front of us, and it is well to bo prepared. “Wo all 'Mint to do a little more than anybody else is d'ing,” said his Excellency. “ hot us try to avoid criticism. This is no time to force the hands of those who are very hard worked. I am referring particularly to our hospital ship, which is shortly

to leave tor the fiont Bo to our virtues ever kit d and :o our faults a little blind, and by doing - so ou will help ills cause you have at heart. 1 have undertaken it because lam pe;'dually interested and personally anxious to help, and I intend to see that the sli p leaves New Zealand as well equipped as it is possible to make her.' (Applause.)