FOR OUR SOLDIERS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2465, 19 May 1915, Page 7

FOR OUR SOLDIERS

A NATIONAL FUND

GREAT GATHERING IN TOWN HALL ,

STIRRING SPEECHES

NEARLY £5000 RAISED ALREADY

Two thousand people ' attended at tho Town Hall last evening when it was decided to establish a national fund out of which to make provision for wounded New. Zealand soldiers and the dependents of fallen soldiers. The gathering was remarkably enthusiastic, the speeches were particularly stirring, and the response to the call was generous. Nearly £5000 has been' raised already, much of this at the gathering. In opening the proceedings the Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) said that the gathering had assembled at a time umqUe in the history of the world. Since the , outbreak of war New Zealand had proved its willingness to, make sacrifices in the Empire's cause. All mourned the loss of those_ young New Zealanders -who had died in the fighting which was being waged for freedom and right-. The thing for New Zealand to do was to continue as it 'had commenced till this fight was'.won. However, the meeting that evening was to initiate a fund for-tho wounded and their dependents. Now Zealand was'going to see that no disability would lie upon tliuse who suffered through the sacrifice of those who went to the front. (Applause.) He believed the Government of New Zealand would do the ngnt thing in the way of pensions, but apart from that the public wished to build up a fuud which would ensure that the wounded and the dependents of the fallen would ba properly providod for in the future. (Applause.) High Time We Aoted. The Hon. A. L, Herdman was called upon to speak. He remarked that the splendid generosity of Messrs. Blundell Bros, and other, who had contributed to the fund that night seemed to be a fine augury. Ho said that it was high time that the people of New Zealand should be up and doing to make provision for those ivlio had goup from the Dominion to light. No one could doubt th 6 willingness of the people of New land to provide for their soldiers. For the first time in the history of New Zealand. New Zealand troops had been permitted to take part in a war in Europe and there were few who read Mr. Ashmead Bartlett's account of tho New Zealanders' deeds at the Dardanelles but did not feel their.hearts beat the fastor as thay scanned tho thriling narrative (Applause.) It was our duty to see that comforts were provided for the men . at the front, and those who would subsequently go to the front. It was true ■ that the Government could do what was necessary for the soldiers, but it was the duty of the public to do what was more than- necessary. : (Applause.) That was the reason for the gathering— so that tile dependents of the soldiers would not ba left in want or trouble. (Applause.) Who would, say that it was not a duty in these tragio days for the public to see that the clouds of anxiety did not hang round the hearts of some amongst us '• He would mention briefly what had been done by Parliament in the way of ..providing for pensions for soldiers. . The first step waa '■ teken in 1909, when provision was made ! in the- Defence Act respecting officers ' and soldiers who died in war, who were ' wounded_ in war, or who suffered in 1 war. Since the present war broke out, 1 the authorities had provided a well- 1 equipped -hospital in Egypt; they had 1 arranged with the Sirdar of Egypt for ■ this hospital, and were paying for it. ' In addition to .that two .stationary hos- 1 pitals were being provided, equipped ' with 100 men, and theso were tc Be ais- * patched in a very short time. (Ap- ' plause.) Sixty-six .nurses had been ] sent' to the front and six to Samoa, i Twenty-five nurses would be sent away in i a very few days, and a still larger batch : of nurses would be sent later on. (Apr plause.) Then, His Excellency the Gov- i ernor had stated that he was prepared J to hand over Government House in' < Auckland for the wounded who return- j ed to New Zealand; Mr. Chas. Izard 5 had offered-his house at Upper Hutt; ] Hon. H. D. Bell had offered 1 three. houses at Lowry Bay: ] Hon. R. H. Rhodes had offered : his place at Christchurch; and 1 Mr. Buckley, of Oamaru, had offered ; his home "Redcastle." (Applause.) ] Moreover, arrangements had been made i in England by Lord Plunket to receive 1 funds to provide comforts for New Zea- " land soldiers after they reached the < shores of the Old Country, and the New ] Zealand Government woul dsubsidisa ] those funds. (Applause.) '1

Lips Closed and Hands Clenched. It might bo asKed: "What else can bo douef" . A great deal remained for the publio to do. It was known that many of the men who hau gone to the trout hart let ( their relatives, wives, or ohildlen iu circumstances which were not u>o good. It would he' the public's duty to sa.e that vhoso relatives were properly carwl tor—(applause)—and it would be tiie public's uuty to seo that the xnen were properly looked after when they 4jot buck. «,Applause.) It would be necessary to provide the men with employment. Respecting the fund, it would be necessary to have one national movement, not something split up into u number of funds.

"Wo have readied a stage in the war," continued iir. Herdman, "which is critical, to looks to me as 1 read the newspapers that tho Allies have comiuduced their forward movement. If it has not commenced it will not be lolly before it takes place. (Appiause.) The time, therefore, is coming when every man and woman in the country must strain every nerve to help that movement along. (Applause.) Ave can nil do something. (Applause.) The people of the Jimpiro are determined that this war will be brought to. an end in a way satisfactory to themselves. Their lips aro closed aud their hands are clenched, and they are determined that this German movement in tho world will be brought to an end. (Ringing applause.) ''.'hey aro likowiso determined that German teaching shall disappear. (Applause.)

"I want to add this: It is for us to keep cool. No good can bo done by noting. (Applause.) It is a matter for great regret that soma young men in Wanganui, and other places, so far forgot themselves tho other evening as to take part in riots. (Hear, hear.) They do no good by that conduct, and they bring disgrace upon tho whole country. (-Applause.) If Germany does wrong, and misconducts herself, that does not oxcuso such conduct as rioting. Tho law must bo obeyed. (Applause.) By rioting they are guilty of conduct which places them on tho samo footing as some of the Germans. If they desire to show their feelings, there is ono proper course to take—to go and enlist. (Applause.)