GREAT PATRIOTIC MEETING AT THE GUILDHALL

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2467, 21 May 1915, Page 5

GREAT PATRIOTIC MEETING AT THE GUILDHALL

NATION'S GRATITUDE TO THE DOMINIONS ' EMPIRE'S RALLY TO THE STANDARD London, May 19. At the meeting at the Guildhall held under the auspices of the National Patriotic Organisation, the Prime Minister (the Right Hon. E. H. Asquith) moved: — "That this meeting records its abiding gratitude for the unparalleled services rendered by the Dominions and other parts of the Empire in this struggle to maintain that ideal of liberty and justice which are common to the sacred cause of the Allies." In speaking to the motion, Mr. Asquith said: "We have sent unequalled armies into tlie field, which wo are steadily and continuously reinforcing, but more men are wanted to replace those who have fallen and increase the defences, in order to make a decisive victory certain. We at Home have every reason to bestir ourselves; the main theatre of war is nearer to London than the Northern counties'. A daily stream of wounded is pouring into uhe hospitals, and one seems sometimes almost to hear the echo of the guns. Sons and Daughters of the Empire. "This is not so with our fellow subjects, to whose magnificent comradeship and co-operation this meeting is now paying a tribute. They are far removed from the scene of conflict; the high seas are now cleared of the enemy, and their commerce pursues almost its normal course. Yet they are sons and daughters of the Empire, and what touches them touches us. _ Mr. Asquith detailed the gifts from the. Dominions and India, and the men supplied by them. They had, he said, put up a' magnificent record, of which aay Empire might feel the highest pride. The Australians and New Zealanders had proved worthy colonial oomrades. India had sent twenty-eight regiments of cavalry and 124 regiments of infantry for service outride India. "Noble Comrados In Arms." All this showed that the Empire had one purpose at heart, and that there was no part of the Empire but would Buffer annihilation ratiter than become subject to any other sovereignty. Why did the colonies rally to the standard ? It was to defeat the! machinations of a man who had violated all the Tights of mankind. Mr. Asquith concluded: "We havo noble comrades in. arms. To quota Wordsworth, we have also great Allies, none the less potent because to the eye of sense they are invisible, and among them is man's unconquerable mind." Venomous Reptile Must be Destroyed, Mr. Bonar Law, Lendor of the Unionist Party, in seconding the motion, said that when a. venomous reptile got loose the only thing was to destray it* The task was not an easy one; therefore it required the putting forth of the Empire's full strength to the last ounce. The Dominions had been the first to come forward in support of the Empire, and would not be the last to enter the enemy's capital. He now had a hope, as a result of the war, of an Empire Parliament, in every part of the Empire would bo represented. "The Ardent Soul cf Young Australia. Sir George Reid (High Commissioner for Australia) said the enthusiasm with which the resolution had been received would delight the Australian people. Hitherto memories of the Guildhall related to British warriors and statesmen; to-day every member of our family, all its races and nations, are represented here, recalling tho fact that a fifth of the human race are sending volunteers to the defence of their beloved King and flag. "Safely stored in the ardent soul of young Australia are hatred of outrage, love.of freedom, and the fighting instincts of the Northern race. The rape of Belgium has awakened the young lion,- with the result that Australians leaped into tho Aegean, faced the Turkish and German storm of shot and shell, and won their dauntless way until the flag waved victorious on the summit of-the cliffs." Australian statesmen, Sir George Reid said, were also entitled to a meed of praise for training the men and providing warships before tho storm burst, thus enabling Australia to haul down the German flag in southern seas. "They Have Set the Heather on Fire," The Hon. T. Mackenzie _ (New Zealand High Commissioner), emphasised the fact that compulsory military service in New Zealand had enabled the Dominion to take its share in the war New Zealand took this step believing it was the first duty of the manhood of the nation to_ protect their women and children, and their homes from the atrocities which will ever disgrace Prussia. "They have set the heather on fire." said Mr. Mackenzie, "and now the clans Imperial are rallying to the King and Empire. The. sword will not be sheathed until the bloody disturber of the world's peace is disposed of for all time." "ALL WE ARE AND ALL WE HAVE "

STIRRING MESSAGE FROM NEW ZEALAND. The Prime Minister of New Zealand, who was askod to send a message to the meeting, cabled the following stirring sentences "New Zealand is proud and pleased to do her share in the momentous'crisis through which the . Empire is passing. We, are proud of our brave sons wlio took part in the great battle at Gallipoli, and though many of them have loft their bones in foreign soil, they died the best of all deaths—they gave their lives for the Empire and their country. We have more New Zealandors coming, many thousands more, of the same stamp and tie same stock, eager to take the.place of those who have fallen, and to assist as soldiers of the King in securing victory for Britain, and her Allies. Though New Zealand is but a small country, all we are and all wo have is at the Empire's call. "As we join in its dangers and struggles, so "shall we share in its viotory and triumph when, in His own good time, God brings this great confliot to an end, and when full punishment for all the fiendish crimes and gross outrages perpetrated against humanity in this war has been justly visited upon German militarism. It is scarcely necessary for me to Bay that, not only in this fight for our national honour, but for all time, New Zealand is inseparably linked with the loved Homeland. . - "(Signed.) W. F. MASSEY, Prime Minister." Message Received With Enthusiasm and Cheers. To-day the Prime Minister received the following cablegram from the High Commissioner (the Hon. T. Mackenzie), dated May 19: — "Most enthusiastic gathering, Guildhall crowded. Your message received with enthusiasm and cheers." (Rec. May 21, 0.80 a.m.) London, May 20. The newspapers published Mr. Massey'a message, heading it "New Zealand's Fine Message."