THE MORE MEN FUND.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9941, 18 January 1900, Page 1

THE MORE MEN FUND.

MASS MEETING IN THE DRILL HALL. WANGANUI'S GENEROSITY AGAIN EXEMPLIFIED. OVER .£2OO RAISE]) IN THE ROOM.

That Wanganui is not behind the Other centres of the colduy In the matter of loyalty to Hio Mother Country in the present struggle to maintain her supremacy was amply demonstrated last evening, when a mass meeting of citizens ond Volunteers was held ill the firiH Hall. Tho meeting Was convened by the Mayor for the purpose of confyd^rjng the suggestion of the Premier tbjrc Wnngauui should equip and send 25 men as a portion of a third Contingent From this colony tor the Transvaal. There was a very large attendance, and the proceedings were of a most enthusiastic and inspiriting character, the presence of the Volunteers and Garrison Band in uniform giving the meeting a military aspect. The appropriate selections by tho Garr son Band, the loyal and patriotic songs, the choruses of which were feelingly and spiritedly taken up by the large audience, and tho stirring addresses were most inspiring. Last evening's meeting will be lemembered a<? one of the most enthusiastic and patriotic ever held on the i Coast. For the nonce ail else was forgotten in the earnest and united desire to voice the patriotism that stured the breasts of all present, and to show that in this far corner of Her Majesty's dominions there was to be found the same loyal spirit so characteristic of the British race. The chair was occupied by the Mayor, and there were also on the platform, in addition to the Garrison Band, representatives of variouß local bodies, the | clergy and other professions, and reprpBentative citizenß, both ladies and gentlemen. ! The Garrison Band struck a good keynote to tho proceedings by playing tb( stirring selection, "The He'd, White, and Blue," after which the Nationol Anthcn was sung, tho solo parts being taken by Miss Pawson and Messrs Pinches am! Lpnnard, the largo audience joining in the chorus, the Band also assisting. Tho Mayor then addressed tho assen blage. He expressed himself .is extremely gratified at the large numbei who had responded to his invitation to bo piesent and take part in the patriot c meeting. It went to show, he thought, that Wanganui joined with the rest of the colony in the great wave of patriotism, which at the present time wag passing over the whole of the British Empire. (Applause.) By their attendance there that evening they one and all practically Baid they recognised their great indebtedness to the grand old flag which obtained for them prosperity and security. The meeting, the Mayor pointed out, was the outcome of a previous meeting held in the Borough Council Chambers in the early part of the month, when a resolution whb passed to the effect that it was thought desirable that the Government should send further assistance in tho shape of more- men and horses to South Africa, and that in the, opinion of Wanganui a third contingent should be organised. That resolution was conveyed to the Premier and the Rev. G-. Bond and Messrs Willis, Griffiths and himself were appointed a committee to give effect to the resolution. Tho Premier replied that he was very much in sympathy with the suggestion of the people of Wanganui, and stated that as soon as arrangements for the bending of tho members of the second contingent wore complete he would take an early opportunity of making an appeal to the whole of the colony on the lines suggested here.. On Monday evening last he received a long telegiam from the Premier, which had been published in the Press, in which Mr Seddon stated that he was proud to say that Canterbury had offered to provide 50 men, thoroughly equip them, and pay the cost of their transit to South Africa if tho Government would accept that- number as Canterbury's contribution. The Premier suggested that as Wanganui had taken the initiative in the matter, we should bo asked to send a contingent, the number suggested being 25. That telegram, he thought, was a very great compliment to Wanganui, and at the same time it put them on their mettle. When they had been put on their mettle in the past they had not been found wanting-^applause)— and he felt certain that they would provide 25 men and find tho money to send them. (Applause.) •Ho had wired to the Premier for particulars as to the probable cost of the Contingent, and had received a reply that it would sost .875 per man— ,£2s each foi horse, equipment) and transport. This estimate, he thought, was rather exces sive, as ho had been informed by Mr Blundell, stock inspector, that good horses could be purchased for .£2O, and a 8 tho equipment of the rough riders would not be so complete as the first Contingent, the expanses in that connection would not he above X2O. That would make a total of about ,£6O per inau, oi X 1625 in all. They had already in hand something like <£600— (applause)— so that they would see that they now required to find an additional in round numbers. If Wanganui supplied 25 men, it would be equal to 100 from Canterbury, taking population as a basis. The question those present were asked to decide was should they adopt the Premier's suggestion, and could they find the men and money. When ho informed them that to-day, practically the first day on which the project had been suggested, 18 .fine, strapping young fellowb haA gone into his offico and offered their services— (applause) — they would see that in tho course of a week they could get far more than they could find the money to Bond away. (Applause.) That was a clear proof that there would not be the slightest difficulty in securing the men. Then, as to finding the money, . it rested to a very great extent with the j audience that evening. Papers had been handed- round as had been done in Christchurch, Dunedin, and other centres, and all present would have an opportunity of showing their practical sympathy with the movement. No matter how small the donation, it would bo welcome, and those who subscribed would have the satisfaction of knowing that they gave for their country's sake aud in recognition of their indebtedness to the old flag. (Applause.) He trusted that the result of the appeal would be the raising of a substantial sum towards the amount required. He had done now with the £ a. d. question, and he left it in their hands. He would now like to Bay a few words on the aspect of the war from his point of view. There could be no question that the present South African war was a very serious one for the Mother Country and for Great Britain, involving as it did tho prestige and honour of tho British Empire, which was at stake. Out of misfortunes came great good, and ho ventured tho hope that out of the present conflict great and lasting good to tho whole of the Britishspeaking race would result. (Applause.) There was one little thing it would do : it would for ever set at rest the question that was so often raised in the Old Country as to the loyalty of the colonies. No doubt many of those present would ridicule* the idea that tho colonies were not loyal ; but it had been openly stated that New Zealand would be one of the first of the British colonies to "cut the painter." Instead of that, however, New Zealand was the hrst of the colonies to laud troops in South Africa—(applause)—and that was a very complete answer to the statement about cutting the painter. Some years ago, when the question of tlie loyalty of tho colonies was so much in evidence iv the Old Country, the late Sir Henry Parkes, in a magnificent speech, said that should occasion ever arise the colonists would show the world that there was "a crimson streak of kinship coursing through our veins, which hound with Bilken cord* to tho OW L'ind the land of our forefathers. Silken cords of love which never can he broken, and a crimson streak of J>lood which never can bs diverted."

That occasion had arisen. It was with them, and what did they MO » T!t:tt the prophesy hud t!oni6 itue. New Zealand's Wlls and Australia's smis were btanding side by side and fighting shoulder to shoulder with the Imperial] trrtops In South Africa, jlduilng out their life blood m one common stream for the defence af tho Empire. (Applause). The question of their loyalty was for all thnb completely set at rest. He therefore Ihciught that they Would all agree with him that now that their boy 3 were out. m South Africa laying down their lives for the Fmpire, those at home should not hesitate to put their Iwwih ih their packets and take tlioir sharo in tho contract. (Applause). He did rot for a moment beliovo they would shirk their duty. (Applause). He believed they were going to laiso the necessary amount. Another thing he would like to say, and that was that tho present was not the time to argue, nor the time to discuss the question as to whether or not Government should bear the cost of equipping find sending the third contingent.. The people of Wanganni had suggested tho raising of it, and he believed they would rise to tho occasion. (Applause). He did rot think they should look upon conbibi.ting as a duty, b'U rather as a privilege. Before concluding, the Mayor read an apology foi tho absence of the Hon. Jclm Bryce from Mrs Bryc?, who stated Uiat her husband wns ill in tied, but Hut he heaitily sympathised with the movement, and enclosed a cliequo foi A 2' 1 , promising a further donation if necessary. (Applause). Mr Hatrick said ho had also recoiled iilO from Mr D. JlcFarlanc, £\ from Mr F. Paikes, and £2 from a gentleman at Mangnwcka. Letters of sympathy, backed up by that practical way, wove what they wanted. Mr House then sang most spiritedly The Soldieis of tho Queen," the audience taking up tho choius lustily. Mi' S. T. Titzherbert stated that ho had been asked to move a resolution, and ho had very great pleasure ill doing so. | His only regret was that the Hon. John Biyco was not able to do so, as ho felt that that gentleman would have done frtr greater justice than lie fcotlld hope to do. However, it ho mado a poor substitute ior lum as a speaker, he would not yield lo Mr Brycß m 1119 appreciation of the fjraafc national crisis they had now to face and in the ationg and earnest desire io see this colony, and moie paiticularly tins district do its part ill a»bistnig tho mtion and empire in the piesent struggle. The lesohition was as follows—"lhat this meeting approves of the Premier's suggestion that Wanganui should raise and equip 25 mounted men for the third Now Zealand Contingent for service in tlm Transvaal, and recommends that a committee be forthwith appointed to take Mich steps as necessary to carry such suggestion into effect." Ho moved that lcsolution with great pleasure before that largo and representative meeting. He thought it might be well to givo a very brief retrospect of the present position in which they stood. Towards the close of last session a vole was passed practically unanimously for equipping and sending fa. contingent. TLat contingent was despatched and was now in the field. Afterwards it was thought desirable and necessary and [ patriotic to send a hirther contingent. | Tho Houso was not then sitting, but the Piemier took what he (Mr Fitzhorbert) thought was a proper, if somewhat unusiml step and comnmnicatoA individually with members of Parliament, and received, ho believed, a unanimous consent to sending the s-econd contingent, although tho money spent was not acturlly appropriated. It was afterwards thought desirable, and he thought the suggestion was a wise one, seeing that many of our youth 'and manhood who « ould make most excellent soldiei-B were debarred from taking part in fighting the country's batles, to send £l contingent of rouffh riders or whatever thoy chose to call them, consisting of men htrdy and active, accustomed to shoot and ride, and outdoor life, and though, not export in drill, yet ivilling td assist in maintaining the bupremacy of tho Empire. In the me.iatmip the necessity, iiufortimatcly, of sending further men ivas manifest by tho incieasing gravity of the situation in Africa. He did not v tend to criuoiso the actions of the War Office, but one thing was certain and that was that we had not a sufficiently itrong force in South Africa. This was wc-w recognised at Home, and as they .vere aware reinforcements were being scut from e\ery known quarter of the world, from every place where waved the British Hag, from Canada, from Ceylon, trom India, as also from the Australian ■olonies, and they all felt that they should not bo back"yard in Bonding a third contingent fxewn New Zealand. (Applause). The position taken up by iho Government was that they lmd already incurred a large expenditure in i quipping two contingents, and if a third contingent wns to be sent tho people must subscribe. Practically the position was, no money, no contingent. (A voire— "We'll find the money.") He aever for a moment doubted that the men would be forthcoming, he never 'loubted that Wanganui would raise 25, •ye, twice 25, willing to go and fight the i ountry's battles. The question, of monoy . ested entirely with them. On many grounds he might fairly appeal to them to display that generous spirit that al.vays characterised the people of Wanganui. It was only two and a half years .igo since that glorious pageant had swept before the Queen on the occasion of Her Majesty's Jubilee, since that great event had been distinguished by all tho pomp and panoply of warlike armed men, when we displayed in every possible way what v great and mighty nation we were, tvnd how from every part of tho world we could draw men. Was a'l that to be merely lip service, or did it mean that there was a real back bone, a real substantial back bone, and that that pageant wduld be supported and justified in the hour of need oy the fighting power of every part of Her Majesty's dominions. (Loud applause.) He appealed to the people of Wanganui on another ground. Many of them, more particularly the older members of the community, knew what it was to live in a country sv.ept by war. Had they no sympathy for their brothei 1 colonists in Natal, who were to-day nobly and gallantly bearing tho brunt of war? Would they not assist their brethren in waging the war, a war not waged ior profit and aggrandisement, not entered upon to make wealthy the few or impoverish the many, but a war v aged because from all partß of the British Ij iii p;re there was the desire to check niiisuu, tyranny, and ignorance? He had fc.uJ that Wnnganui had been generous in tho past. They had subscribed for ihe Hospital, they had rait>pd funds for the refugees, and had aided many ctlnT deserving objects. But was their generosity to be com nsd to object? tuat Gpiiefitted their own Hirioundings? (Appliiuse). Wore they going to be little Engenders or little New Zealauders, or were they prepared to lake an honest aud ju&fc part m maintaining the integrity and interests ol the Empire' (Applause). Ho appealed to them as a sporting community. They had bcloro to-day raised 41000 for a race, and could they ghe ,£IOOO to assist the snaffle and the Bpur in sport and yet deny to the En.pire .i similar support for the stirrup and tho sword in a time of trouble. (Applause)? It was not lip sendee that they now wished to offer to their country. The colonists in South Africa were bone of our bono and flesh of our flesh, and should we not help them in the hour of need' Ho submitted that they all felt there was a real necessity for practical issistance and not merely an opportu- j nily of showing an obieci lesson to the other nations of the world. They were snxious to tako their part in defence of , the Empire. (Applause). Thoro was no blinking the fact that the war was inflicting a severe strain oil the Empire, aud he had no hesitation in saying that evory man and every horse sent to South Africa was of distinct assistance to thß Mother Country. Independent of the actual fighting, "no class of men would be more useful than the hnrdy colonials they would be pleased to send from their shores. (Applause). They were not a

wealthy ccminhimCy, but they were A r.ioMicious one. Yen Uioy content to fold their hands and enjoy luxury? Should they not sympathise witti their ftllo-w- colonists in their present dislrobs? (AppLuislM. tie oGiicrndod (h.'t if there M-.is no leason mon> than another -vliy they bhoiild send a contingent now it was to form tho national life. Were the ymiijg men, 11^.manhood of tin. 1 colony* to bo told that their national aspirations wore to be thwarted by the niggardliness of their neighbours' Wcie they to bj pi evented fioni standing shouldn to shoulder with the- bra\rsl solditrs in <hr> woikl. (Apjihuihc). li ihey refused to assit-t them they depmed the yriuiig men of doing tlioir bhate. He appealed to the women of W.ingflniii. Brave women made bravo men It wna to the men they locked for financial suppoit, i1 was to tho women they looked tor loyal support, to urge on the grudging and encourage tlin liberal. Women hated ■«.«, and nat'U.illy, but they hated cowaids worse, No woman but would spare her dcare3t to fight for his country. Honour was giaiid, but national honour was grander, and he felt sine the won en of Wansjamii would do all they could to encouiago all to give. Mr Fit/beibnrl concluded a most eloquent speech, amidst hearty applause, by quoting the iollowmg wellknown hues — "Go forth to fight; Clnre bids thoo go 1 Clare can » warrior's feelings know, And ivpep .1 warriors shanie^ Can Red Earl Gilbert b spirit tech Biuklo tin- spurs upon thy feet, Aud belt thoe with thy brand of steel, And send thee fortli to fame '" The Rev G. Bond noconded tho ie6olution. Ho stated that tho other tiny ho received a letter, without 11 signature, calling him severely lo task for taking the stand ho did on the piesent cnais in South Aftka. Ho had been told that ho should bo a man of peace and clean hand?. Ho was there that night because ho w.ia a man of peace. (Applause) lie felt that tho more men they sent to the front, juat now the sooner the war would be cloot'd, and the leoa likelihood thore would be of a great loss of human Ufo. (Applause.) He was there also becaueo, although ho wore a white chokor and ft black coat, ho was still a man. Not only was ho a mau but a Britisher to tho backbone, aud being so ho wns proud to endorse all that had fallen fiom the pre%ious speaker and to support tha resolution so ciMy mo\ed. With regard to tho puirposfD for which all had assembled, they might not be ready to sivo £10 01 pe-riwips a sovereign each, out if they could only afford a tlir«epenny-piece let it bo given freely and with good will. The threepenny-piece ho entertained in great respect, considering it also the most religious coin in tho unheree, for wheieas the half-crown often went to the theatre tho iliniblo threepenny wont to ohurch. (Laughter.) He was convinced that tho war was a righteous oue —waged agonist treachery, oppression, find tyranny, find waa not only ip the interests of humanity but. for British Supremacy. Mr Bond concludsd an eloquent address by remarking that till wero present that evening to prove their loyalty by dwils, not words, and ho felt assured they would do it in adding more than tlieir quota. Ho bcliovcd that not only New Zealand but Wangamu would send more men lo do the colony credit, that tltey would como out of the contest with glowing colours, and bring hack laurels as their own reward. (Applsvuso.) The Rev Spencer said that though not a Britisher, he claimed to be a cousin — an American —and if lie were not iv the ministry ho would certainly go to South Africa to taio his shore in the yfar. rlharlha resolution had his warmest support. The Rev R. M. Ryburn also heartily supported the resolution, and 111 doing ao said ho was Bure'that every trueinindpd mar. who had inquired into tha matter muet be satisfied that Britain had light on hor aids. The resolution v/afi then put and carried nera con. Mr A. D. Willis, M.H.R., said lie -always considered that the Volunteers had boon disparagingly treated and spoken of, but now was the time their true worth wm being found out, and it was gratifying to know Iho colonial troops wore distinguishing themselves in South Africa. He conmdered that thoy had fought splendidly, and the New Zeabindors wore tho quality of men required to fight tho Boers in their method ol warfare. Mr Willis, in moving tho resolution entrusted to him, explained that there was a committee already formed to administer the "Moro Men" Fund, their names beiug his Worship the Mayor, the Rev G. Bond, Mr S. S. Griffiths, and himself (Mr Willis). Ha would move the following: —'"That a committee be now appointed, in. terms of the first resolution, with powor to add to thoir number, consisting of Messrs S. T. Fitelierbert, J. Thatii, E. A. Campbell, C. Burnett, A. Burnett, P. Hermann, H. Gibbons, W. H. G. Foster, J. 11. Nixon, C. J. McCarthy, Jas. Higgie, Ja«. Watt, J. P. Watt, R. Hughes, T. D. Cnmmins, Lloyd Jonets, J. P*ui, G. Carson, Revs Spencer, R. M. Rybum, T. B. Maclean, and Very Rev Dean Kirk." At this stage Mr R. Blennerhngsett sang with excellent effect the stirring national song, "Rula Britannia," the chorug 0/ which wm heartily taken up by tho »udienoe and ending in prolonged applause. Mr G. C»r»oa aeooMded the resolution proposed by Mr Willis, »nd in the oourse of his Bpteoh made all earnest appeal to one and all for the practical nesißbanee ao urgently required 111 a cass of gueli need. The r»»olution having been put and carried unanimously, a hearty vot« of thanks, on the resolution of Mr F. M. Spurdle, was accorded the Mayor for presiding. The papers handed to those entering the hall were collected whilst tlio Garrison Band played a spirited martial seleotion, and on collection it was fou»d that the uiaounts filled in totalled irhioh, added to tho fund, and other amounts promised, brings the grand total np to about .£IOOO to date. Tho proceedings concluded by those present again joining in th» ringing of "God Save the Queen." j