THE EMPIRE'S NEED

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2596, 19 October 1915, Page 4

THE EMPIRE'S NEED

CALL FROM THE TRENCHES A MAN'S "BOUNDEN DUTY.* PRIME MINISTER'S APPEAL Tlio following appeal to the manliooi of tile country lias been issued by the Prime Minister (the Right Hon. W. F. Massoy):— "Wo aro now entoring upon tlie most critical period of tlie war, when each and every part of tlie Empire must make a special effort- to send men and munitions to tile front. Field-Marshal Lord lias stated in no uncertain terms that ho wants both of these essentials, and that with a sufficient number of the one and an adequate quantity of tlie other, the Allies will hold tho war in the hollow of their hands.

"New Zealand has done nobly up t<J the present, her sons have enlisted as 6oldiers of the King by tens of thousands, and when tested on the battlefield they havo by their splendid gallantry and achievements already created an imporishablo record of bravery. From the hillsides of Gallipoli, from the trenches where gallant men aro lighting for the i'onour and prestige of our race, the appeal has now come to their comrades who are still in New Zealand with such force that few of British blood will bo able to resist.

"Tho call has come from tho leaders of tlie Empire, so clear, so strong, and so persistent that no man worthy of tlio name cau hear it unmoved. I know tho appeal is not being made in vain; I know the response will be worthy of the manhood of this country; but let mo say personally to every man of military age whoso responsibilities to dependents do not compel him to remain in tho Dominion that it is his! bounden duty in justice to his country, in justice to his fellow New Zcalanders who have died fighting for honour and liberty and whose bones rest to-day iii foreign soil —nay, in justice to himself as a citizen of tho Empire to respond in a courageous and patriotic spirit to tho urgent message from our kin across; the seas, and to say to the military authorities of the Dominion in words familiar but expressive, 'Here am I, send me—send me. 1 "