N.Z. AND THE WAR.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 14467, 4 December 1914, Page 8

N.Z. AND THE WAR.

THE NEED FOR MORE MEN. THE PREMIER WAKES UP. . AUCKLAND. Dec. 3, The responsibility of New "Zealand tj»' place its resoiiiT-.es of niea :.nd materia)' ut the disposal of Lord I'llchencr iti order to bru’.j .the war to an early, termination was emphasised Ik is evening by the' Prime Minister in commenting on the present' inoii in Europe He declared that the Diminion must give all help within its power and give that help promoily. Messages from London during the last few days showed . I hat Great Britain is making efforts to put tha maximum force in the field bv the sjmmg, a few months hence, apd the Mother Country looks to the Hot •numons’overseas for all possible aid. Germany has knowledge of Britain’s resolution, and therefore the Kaiser is massing huge forces in the ‘western theatre*; The German attack is. specially vigorous against the British. Germany’s, desperate ambition is to roll up the British armies and so injure the morale of the French. Thus the Germans hone to influence neutral countries to favour the side of might. “ Who doubts,” asked Mr. Massey, “that Britain’s expectation of adequate help from tho Dominions will he properly fulfilled? Brita'n expects-that every dominion will do its duty to the Empire, and I am sure that New Zealand will not he left lagging. I am not at all putting this, country’s patriotism in front of tho patriotism of any sister State, but H so happened that New Zealand was the first to offer a force, and by the splend-’d aid of tli« Australian navy New Zealand had a body of 1400 troops en route for Samoa only eight days after the declaration of war between Great Britain and Germany. New 'Zealand's prompt and hearty recognition of the Empire’s need of loyal a’d was warmly praised in Canada, where the Dress, med New Zealand as an example to quicken preparations for a similar enterprso in that Dominion. Equally as Prime -Minister and as a citizen of Now Zealand I am proud of.this country’s eagerness to help the. Motherland in tha preservation of - a common 'heritage. The. gifts of men ,and money and material make a bright page for New Zealand in the Empire’s history, and there are ether pages to come. Tho Minister of Defence, tho Hon. Jlas. Allen, has stated that heavy remforceraents will he sent to Europe and _ I, have every confidence that volunteering will continue to exceed tho number of places to be filled. As I have already said at Dunedin, the number of men offering themselves at the present time surpass the quota required, and i-irs great self- sacrificing spirit of seri -ce will assure the Mother Country that New Zealand’s manhood will be equal to'any Call. The position of the Allies is strong to-day, and the factor? all point to further strengthening, but the British plan oi quick concentration of strength needs the vigorous help of all members, of tho Imperial family. It is a plan to hasten the end of the war and thus correspondingly reduce" the cost to the Allies who must conquer C-nrmany. Therefore, New Zealand’s liberality with men and maleral must not slacken. Self-interest alone, apart from that of the Imperial patriotic sentiment which has inspired tho whole public, should induce Now Zealand to give all possible help to Great Britain, which has so long guarded the seas and enabled +hc Donv'nions to have a prosperous place in the world’s system of trade and commerce. This is a time when effective patriotism j s the best possible policy from every viewpoint. This is a time when all classes recognise that all strength? have to be one strength to secure and maintain that place which Brit'sh courage, endurance and perseverance have won in the world, to the advantage of the whole world as well as to all Britons. Parties which differ on matters of domestic policy join with the oliiect of- defeating tb? Empire’s challengers by giving the Mother Chintry all the help within their power, and g ring that help promptly.