NEW ZEALAND AND THE WAR

Te Aroha News, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5472, 5 April 1917, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND AND THE WAR

ADDRESS BY SIR J. C. WARD

LECTURE AT BOUIRNE MOUTH

THE LOYALTY OF THE COLONIES

“ New Zealand and the War ” was the subject of a popular lecture delivered to a large audience in Trinity Hall, Bournemouth, (England) recently, by the Bight Hon. Sir Joseph George Ward, Bart., P.C., K.C.M.G., Minister of Finance, and late Prime Minister of New Zealand. Arranged by the Bournemouth Natural Soienco Society, with the support of the Royal Colonial Institute and the Victoria League, the lecture was a splendid and inspiring oration, delivered in Sir Joseph Ward's characteristically racy style. THE CHAIRMAN’S WELCOME The Chairman, Sir Daniel Morris, K C.M. G., D.So., D.C.L., in introducing the lecturer as a distinguished representative of our great self- i governing Dominions extended to Sir : Joseph Ward a hearty welcome. It was, he said, often remarked how magnificently the Overseas Dominions had come to the help of the Mother Country in this war. This is not, perhaps, quite the right way to look at it. The Dominions were not coming to our help, they were coming to the help of British civilisation, and the true civilisation as opposed to the bogus “ kultnr ” of our Prussian enemies. It was for this civilisation that we and our Overseas Dominion were fighting, and were determined to fight until we reach a final victory. Sir Joseph Ward, in the second of the Bournemouth war lectures, would speak more particularly of the resources of the Dominion of New Zealand—what it had done and was doing for the war. As a former Prime Minister of New Zealand, in intimate touch with everything connected with the “ Britain of the South,” they could, he said,’ have no one more capable of dealing' with so interesting—and just now—so im portant a subject. In opening his lecture, Sir Joseph Ward said ; “I am one of yourselves, and you iu turn, are part and parcel of the Overseas Dominions. (Applause). Gone for ever was the old idea that the Overseas Dominions were off shoots of the Mother Country, worth just a little consideration, and not a bad thing if they “ cut the painter.” Because what they were doing to-day ■ was mutually for the general benefit of their descendants in making one great concrete British Empire, which would be even more successful than hitherto. (Applause). Before coming to the subject proper, Sir Joseph Ward briefly described the scenic beauty of New Zealand, its equable climate and prolific soil, the richest in the world, and from Which was exported last year £34,000,000 worth of produce. Its people were the richest in the world per head of the population, having more money iu the savings banks, than any other country per head Great achievements h'd been attsined during the life time of some of those present. \.s to the future, he said : “If the people who are responsible for the government of this country and the Empire do not recognise that the psychological moment has arrived for them to consider seriously the shaping of a new constitution or system to enable the Overseas Dominions to tnve some voice in matters of Imperial interest they will lay the foundation of a drifting tendency, instead of concreting a young British nation into the most powerful Empire in the world. If we do not realise this and do not look ahead iu the direction I have outlined, and take advantage of the opportunity of consulting and conferring, and helping each other to formulate an even greater empire, we shall not be doing our duty to our own people and our own descendants.”, '(Loud applause). NEW ZEALAND’S EFFORTS

Sir .Joseph Ward went on to tell in graphic detail how the people of New Zealand responded at the outbreak of war, and without waiting to be asked, told the British Government that they inteuded to do their part to the utmost of their ability. (Applause). Having a system of compulsory military training—for which the lecturer was responsible—they werS able to place 2 000 men fully equipped on board ship, within a fortnight, and planted the British flag at Samoa, the first portion of German territory to be acquired ,by the British Empire in the war. In matters of finance, the country raised £2,000.000 for the purchase of comforts for their soldiers; £762,000 had been given for their

relief of distress ,in Belgium, Serbia, and those who lost relatives in the Battle of Jutland whilst practical sympathy had been shown in the distribution of good", materials and money. Having quoted statistics showing the number of New Zealanders serving in the war, Sir Joseph remarked that New Zealand decided to do her own financing when the war was longer than was anticipated, and the novel experiment of borrowing in her own country was embarked upon. Within 10 months £11,000,000 was raised at per bent at par ; whilst £4,350,000 surplus money was invested in London id’ Imperial Treasury Bills. (Applause). This could only have been -done because they were a people, resourceful and. determined, and willing to submit to new taxation in order to crush under foot an enemy who wanted to dominate the world by a system under which Britsubjects would sooner die than live. (Applause). Sir Joseph spoke with pride of the splendid allowance and. pensions which were made-to soldiers' dependents, no matter how large their families, amouqtyig io £5 or £5 a week in respect to' a'disabled soldier. This led a member of the audience to remark that the allowances and pensions in England were a mere pittance. “ Then it is your duty to see-that they do their duty,” rejoined Sir Joseph, with the qualification that he was not speaking in.a derogatory sense of the country. THE WAR MUST BE WON

New Zeal tnd, he proceeded was determined to keep up her reinforcements, |because this war had to be won by us, a premature peace being unsatisfactory. Speaking of the splendid part which woman were taking, he said that women would occupy a new position in the world after the war. (Applause). Reference was next made by Sir Joseph to the part he took in getting built and presented to the British Government H.M.S. New Zealand, which had taken part in all the battles since the war started, and had come out Another phase of New Zealand’s financial efforts was mentioned in the payment of soldiers’ insurance premiums, the payment of half the contributions of the State annuity, and the compelling of in-

sarance companies to keep up life pplicies after they had matured. (Applause). In conclusion, Sir Joseph emphasised the unity of the people of , the people of New Zealand in this ] crisis, and their desire to see that after the war they had a voice in matters of vital interest to the British Empire. Some fine views of New Zealand scenery, buildings, and industries were thrown on the screen, Mr Thomas being in charge of the lactern.

Hearty thauks to the lecturer and the chairman were accorded. \