THE NATIONAL RESERVE AND THE CHURCH PARADE.

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2468, 22 May 1915, Page 13

THE NATIONAL RESERVE AND THE CHURCH PARADE.

Sir, —Tiie local Press yesterday contained a statement from tie Executive of the National Reserve that they deemed it ■ inadvisable for "business, professional, and iother reasons" to parade on Sunday afternoon noxt, at the request of the New Zealand Patriotic Society. As chairman of the latter body, I bave been, requested to place before the public certain facts which—it is thought they should be acquainted with. In the first place, I would like to say that the Patriotic Society is a body of men whose sole object and desire is 'to foster a spirit of patriotism amongst our people, and to do whatever lays in our power to show those men who are fighting our battles that our countrymen are proud of them and will look after them if incapacitated, and their dependents, if they fall in action. It is generally recognised by all men who have had anything to do with publio- functions that the public as a body are slow to Tcalise events which may possibly be happening in their midst, unless some special means be taken to draw their attention to the fact, so that tho society had really two objects in view in organising the church parade, which will take place next Sun-, day afternoon. In the first place we consider that the publio would by the very fact of having a demonstration realise more than they would otherwise the fact that the nation is at war and that a call was being l made to our young men to shoulder arms for the purpose of the defence of the Empire and all that it stands for. In the second place wo desire that these expressions shall find practical proof, and we therefore purpose taking up a collection at the gates to swell the funds we are endeavouring to raise by carnival and other means, for the purpose of providing for our own troops. If these facts are clearly understood, might I ask what objection tho National Reserve Executive, can have to taking part ill such a demonstration? Surely it cannot be that the parade is being held on the Snbbath Day? Are \ve going to draw such a thin line as that when our men are fighting seven days in the week, and for months past have been waist-deep in the trenches? Are we going lo study our own personal feelings as to whether wo can march well or whether wc cannot? When the Empire is making sueli demands upon all of her subjects, what "business, professional or other reasons" should bo allowed to. stand in the way of doing all that is possible to show our loyalty to our God, or King, and Empire? I have been approachcd by various members of the different units of the National .Reserve, who have expressed in no ciiunistakohlp terms their indignation at the action of the executive, and I feel sure this feeling permeates the wholo of the force. Looking 3t fhs question of tfle p?,rido from the National Ileserva &Uu4._.

point, Burely tho executive must realise that one of the greatest means to success in any organisation is baying set before it some object to accomplish, and if men are going to drill behind closed doors what incentive is thora for them to become efficient in their drill, unless they have some o]>portunities of parading before tho public? There are people in this town nlio look upon the National Eeserve as a lot of broken-kneed old men, and a procession such as this would give the lie direct to such an accusation, and would give the various units an opportunity of demonstrating tlieir patriotism towards the great cause wo all have at heart. I therefore appeal through your columns to tho various units to turn out on Sunday next, and if they will watch the advertisements in the daily Press, tho order of procession will he advertised, and we feel sura will lie supported by the great mass of tha public.—l am, etc., H. G. HILL, Ohairman, Wellington Branch N.Z. Patriotic Society, May 21.