A PATRIOTIC APPEAL

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2246, 4 September 1914, Page 6

A PATRIOTIC APPEAL

Now you've all suns; "Rule Britannia" and "God Save our Gracious King," At the bugle call of baleful'wot's alarms; Will you kindly search your pockets with a readiness to bring Contributions l'or our boys who're 6hould'riiij* arms? As the Motherland is threatened by a boastful, alien foe, . > With ambition and rapacity unbounded, And the European nations all for future weal or woe Will bs fighting till their final knell is . sounded. New Zealanders, Australians, in north, south, east, and west, _ And Britons true, it's very, plain your "Hip, hip, hip, hurrah, ' Is proof you'll be responsive to this urg- , ent, just request, And so will never hesitate to pay, pay, pay! Though we're parted from old England by twelve thousand miles of sea, Of the mighty British Empire we form part; And the flag thafs waring o'er us as the emblem of the free, . _' , Must be treasured in each patriotio heart. So our boys with martial ardour now aro coming to the front. Quite prepared to go wherever duties call them, And if it be-their, destiny to bear the battle's brunt, With disdain for any fate that may befall them. New Zealanders, etc., etc., etc. When the. warfare was in Africa, our oountry gladly gave Her contingents, quito regardless of the cost. Now, alas! it is a question if the Union Jack still wave, Or our wide command o'er ocean shall be lost. We need not fear the outcome, for our God defends the right, And a just and righteous cause is Britain's ever; . So our manhood's flower is hast'ning with all eagerness to fight For the Empire that no earthly power can sever !■' •

New Zealanders, etc., etc., eto. H. HILL-BECKETT. Wellington. WAR PRICES COMMISSION'S FIRST SITTING. The first sitting of the Commission to inquire into the enhanced prices ,of food and other necessaries was held yesterday. There were present :• His Honour Mr. Justice Stringer, President of the Arbitration Court (Chairman); Hon. J. Barr, M.L.C.; Mr. James Begg (Mosgiel); Mr. G. J. Garland (Auckland); Mr. William M.' Milne, Oamaru; Mr. Georgo Wilson, Wellington.. The following was tho Commission's order of reference: — (a) Tho state of tho prices 111 New Zealand of wheat, flour, bread, oatmeal, beef, mutton,, and any other articles whatever of food or drink on August 1, 1914, and at any time thereafter. ' (b) Tho quantity, situation, demand, supply, or possession of any such articles of food or drink in New Zealand, (c) The advisability of- the exercise by the Govornor-in-Council of the power to fix and determine the maximum price in Now Zealand of any such articles of food, or drink, and whether different maximum prices should bo fixed for the samo articles of food or drink in 'respect of different forms, modes, conditions, or localities of trade, commerce,' sale, or supply. The proceedings were in camcra, the Chairman stating that what information was to be made public would be duly communicated to the newspapers. Any person desirous of giving evidence on any matter within tho scope of this inquiry is requested to send in writing to the secretary, 'Regulation of Trade and Commerce Commission, Box 1201, P. 0., Wellington, a short precis of the evidence proposed to be tendered, together with his full name and ■ address, and he will be notified in duo course of the time and placo where bo shall be required to fjtte'nd. APPEAL TO THE GOVERNMENT. (By. Telegraph.—Press Association.) Oarnaru, September 3. The following resolution has been forwarded to the Prime Minister by the executive of the Oamaru Patriotic Committee:—"That, in view of the continued tendency to increase the cost of necessities of life, the burden of which must fall on those least able to bear it, the Government be requested to take immediate steps to prevent any further increase pending tho finding of the Commission appointed under the Regulation of Trado and Commerce Act."

The next parade of No. 4 Company Field Engineers will be held on September 10. A temporary re-arrangement of sections has been made, as follows Nos. 1 and 2 sections to be No. 1 section. under Sergeant Tucker, Nos. 3 and 4 sections to be No. 2 section, under Sergeant'Kelloway. Corporal Macdonald will bo acting-quartermaster-ser-geant during the, absence of Quarter-master-Sergeant Lewis.