THE DUTY OF THE NATION.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 14285, 30 April 1917, Page 3

THE DUTY OF THE NATION.

PRESIDENT'S APPEAL.

LONDON, April 17. Reuters correspondent at Washington s ays that Dr Wilston, the President of the United States, has issued an address to the country m which he outlined how America should go to war m the interests of the world.

After emphasising the need for organising all the industrial forces of America, and the importance of service and selfsacrifice by all sections of the community, the President proceeded: — "Not only during the present emergency but some time after peace, both our people and a large proportion of the people of Europe must rely upon tho American harvest. Upon the farmers of America, therefore, m large meaanrtrests the fate of the war, the fate of the nations. May not the nations count upon them to omit no step to increase production from the land or bring about the most effectual co-operation m sale and distribution of products? The time is short. It is of the most imperative importance that everything possible should be done immediately to make sure of a large harvest. I call upon young men and old alike and able-bodied boys to accept and aat upon this duty — to turn m hosts to the farms and make certain that no pains, no labor will be lacking m his great matter.

"I particularly appeal to the farmers m the south to plant abundant foodstuffs besides cotton. ' They can show patriotism m no. better or more convincing way than by resisting the great ,temptation of tlie present price of cotton and helping upon a great scale to feed the v nations and peoples everywhere who are fighting for their and our liberties. Tlie variety of their crops will be a visible measure of their comprehension of their national duty. The Government of ,the United States and the Governments of the several States stand ready to co-oper-ate to do everything possible to assist farmers m securing an adequate supply of seed, an adequate force of laborers n't harvest tirtie. and 'means for expediting shipments of fertiliser and farm machinery, besides the crops themselves.

"Let me suggest also that everyone who creates and cultivates a garden liielpa greatly to solve the problem of feeding the nations, arid every housewife who practises strict economy puts herself m the ranks of those serving the nation. This is the time of America to correct her unpardonable fault of wastefulness and extravagance.

"Let evfc-ry man, every 'woman, assume the duty of a careful, provident, use of expenditure as a public duty, as thp dictate of patriotism, which none can now expect to ever be excused or forgiven for ignoring.".