PATRIOTIC MEETING

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2478, 3 June 1915, Page 6

PATRIOTIC MEETING

APPEAL FOR RECRUITS. A recruiting and patriotic meeting, convened by the National Reserve (Wellington South section), was held _ in the Newtown Library last evening, about one hundred persons attending. The chair was taken by the Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke), who was supported by the Mayoress. A programme of patriotic songs and speeches had been arranged, and the audience took up every chorus with enthusiasm.

The first speaker was the Mayoress, who expressed surprise at the aosence of the women folk, as she had thought she was coming to the hall to address a mixed meeting. She was goin<» to urge the mothers not to keep too tight a hold upon their sons, but to let them go and show what they could do for their country. The country first was what we should all think of at the Dresent time. It was hard for mothers to take that view, but if it were not for our brave boys we would have no country, and nothing of any value to lay claim to. ' She knew tho boys were going to uphold the honour of Britain and her Allies, and that they were going to keep the Union Jack flying, and she appealed to all not to pass hasty judgment on those who could not go. Many boys wore almost broken-hearted bocause tlie.v could, not go and fight alongside their friends, but they were kept back by some very strong family tie—some one depending upon them. She was very sorry for those boys, and she hoped all wonld sympathise_ with them, and that some distinguishing mark would be found for those who were willing to go, but had to remain behind. In conclusion, Mrs. Luke paid a tribute to tbo work done by the women of the city for the soldiers at tbo front, and she appealed to the men to consider their positions in regard to recruiting.

Tho Mayor, in the course of an interesting speech, said that tlie matter of enlisting up fx> the present had been a personal obligation, and it was for the men to keep it so. But if tho ncccssary progress in recruiting was not- made, conscription would follow, find oven the thought of that was distasteful to every British citizen. The proposition before the nation was a stiff one. but it was a job that bad to bo done. tie was as to the result, and bad never been otherwise, hni. it would be foolish lo under-esti-nifite the magnitude of tlio forces opposed to us.

Snecchos were also made l>y Mr. A H. Hiiiflmarsli, Ml'., Air. J. I'. Firth, and others.