The Dominion. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1914. OUR EXPEDITIONARY FORCE

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2264, 25 September 1914, Page 4

The Dominion. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1914. OUR EXPEDITIONARY FORCE

The great gathering which assembled in Newtown Park yesterday afternoon to take part in the public farewell to the Wellington section of the New Zealand Expeditionary Foree,'and tho immense numbers of enthusiastic citizens who watched the marching of the troops to and from the park, provided a very impressive demonstration of the keen national spirit which the war has aroused throughout the Dominion. The Imperial sentiment of New Zealanders has always been strong. It "was not created by the war, but the tremendous crisis through which the Empire is now passing has certainly made us all feel our duties and responsibilities, as well as our privileges, as British citizens more fully than in the easy-going times of peace. The gathering in Newtown Park was a most inspiring spectacle. The assembly was one of tho largest that baa over been seen. in Wellington, and tho spectators themselves provided a sight almost as interesting a 9 tho sight they came to see. The vast majority of them could not hear a word of the speeches, but they were none the less keen on that account. They could'.watch the men in khaki, and it did not require a very active mind to be ablo to imagine all the rest. If thoy could not catch the actual words of the speakers they knew that they must be talking about the Empire's call and New Zealand's response, and wishing tho contingent GoD-speed. A vast crowd of human beings,' inspired by the same thoughts and hopes and fears, is always well worth studying. A crowd is something more than a collection of sep r arate individuals. In times of unusual stress or excitement its units act and react on one another, and it seems to have a mind of its own. Many of ; thdse who so closely watched the proceedings in the park yesterday had friends or relatives among the soldiers to whom the words of farewell were being addressed, arid tho note of seriousness which characterised the ceremony seemed to harmonise with the prevailing frame of mind. Yesterday's demonstration in Wellington provided a good illustration of the manner in which' British people in all parts of the world are facing the greatest test to which the Empire has been put since the days of Napoleon. What New Zealand is doing is typical of what being done in other Overseas Dominions, in India, and in the Motherland. History is just now being made.on a .great scale, and when, the time comes to write it a prominent place is sure to bo given to the splendid manner in which the Empire stood together in this day of trial. For the first time the Overseas Dominions are sending troops to fight as part of the British Army in a European war. In the present crisis.the spirit of Imperial co-operation is' being carried to the highest point yet attained. A great step forward _is being made in the work of Imperial ■unification, and_ what wo are now doing cannot .fail to 'have a permanent effect on the relationships between the various States of which tho Empire; is composed. It is impossible to doubt that the tens of thousands of men and women who saw the para.de of our Expeditionary Force in the park and through the streets yesterday were in the fullest sympathy with the action of the Government in offering to send troops to fight the Empire's battles, and were proud of tho manner in which our young men have volunteered for service abroad. Recent events must hayo provided an unpleasant awakening for those of our enemies who have been declaring that Britain is on the down grade. No doubt the wish is father to the thought. The present struggle has already shown, as Mr. Massey remarked yesterday, that instead of being dcoadent the British Empire is to-day stronger and greater than over it has been in its past history. Only a vigorous and virile race could produce men of such fine physique and keenness as those Now Zealand is sending to the front, and this country will soon have 10,000 soldiers of a similar stamp in the Empire's service, and, if necessary, there are more to follow. Yet this Dominion is, comparatively, sneaking, _ only a small community. When it is borne in .mind that the rest of the Emoirc is equally willing to take its share of the burden it will bo recognised, that Mr. Churchill is not overestimating Britain's resources when he declares that we have no need to bo anxious about the final result of the war, for "the British Empire can, unless its resolution fails, finally settle tho matter ns it, chaoses." Its resolution is not at, all likely to fail if public sentiment in New Zealand is a fair sample, ns wo believe it is, of the general feolinp in British communities throughout tho world.