WAR TOPICS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2628, 25 November 1915, Page 2

WAR TOPICS

ADDRESS BY CAPTAIN. SIMSON.

An address touohing on war topios was delivered, at the. Y.M.G.A. last evening by Captain Simson, British Seotioii New Zealand Expeditionary Force, who recently returned from Gallipoli wounded. Captain Simson illustrated his address with some .fine views of Anzac Bay and its surroundings. . Captain Simson said that lie was a member of the Y.M.C.A. in Johannesburg, where the institution had fine buildings, and was doing . excellent work. Speaking of the-work of the Y.M.C.A. in Egypt, he said that when the boys returned, 95 per cent, of them would have a good word for the Y.M.C.A. Early ■in the war the Y.M.C.A. tents at Zeitoun were looked upon as the headquarters of tho "wowsers," but war brought men to their senses, and that early notion had been dissipated. This' was a war for Christianity; and for Christianity's sake it had. to be won. It would not be won without cessation of extravagance; and v all could help, also, by buying only' British-made goods. How many buyers inquired if their wares came from America? We would get the men we need; there was no doubt on that point. We needed generous treatment for the men who fought. We were not winning yet—a long way frorn it. We would have to wake up. We would get a very rude awakening soon. The wealthy and the shirkers would have to do their part, and New Zealand would have to set a good example to the men of the other parts' of tho Empire who were only too willing to do the best they could. There was a cry that married men should not go until after the single men had done their share, buthe asked who would bear the burden of a bad peace, if a bad peace were made. He answered: "The children the mar-' ried mem have brought into the world." Those who wont to the war must not be any, woree off than if they had remained in New Zealand. Referring to the Government and the pension scheme, he remarked: "They are not doing their job. (Applause.) None of you are," he added. The pension scheme, regarding which a special session or Parliament was being asked for, Would have to be made more liberal. Tho thrifty should not be penalised. New Zealand could afford better pensions; the war profits could afford it. He was out to reduce racing to a decent minimum, and having done that, going to tackle any problem that affected recruiting. There was not a man in New Zealand, from the Prime Minister down, who was prepared to voice every grievance he could lay hands on. "Most of yon have had calis made to you, and you have not responded to them," he added. Captain Simson was thanked for his address.

During the evening several solos were rendered by Mrs. Anderson. /