"ANZAC'S" DINNER

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2759, 1 May 1916, Page 6

"ANZAC'S" DINNER

FOR RETURNED SOLDIERS

BRILLIANT SPECTACLE AT THE

TOWN HALL

NOTABLE SPEECHES

It was a happy idea of the Wellington Patriotic Society to tender the returned heroes of the Gallipoli campaign who happened to be in Wellington a dinner in commemoration of Anzac Day. The gathering took place on Saturday evening in the Town Hall, and was attended by 825 returned soldiers, who formed a splendid eight as they sat at the wellladen tables, which had been picturesquely decorated. Tho hall was liiost brilliantly .and tastefully- decorated with crossed fest&ons of the flags oi tue Aim* ajid the British Dominions, trophies of flags starved the gallery balustrade, and the cold white wails below were draped in red and blue cloth. A machine-gun, surmounted by a fine "Union Jack, figured on the platform. The chair was occupied by Mr. T. M. Wili'ord, M.P., president of the society, who was supported on his right by the Prime Minister (tho Eight Hon. \V. P. Massey), and on his left by Sir Joseph Ward. Other guests of honour weTC: 'ine Hons. A. Myers, W. H. Herries, and G. W. KiUsseli, Sir Rabert Stout, BrigadierGeneral A. W. Robin, C.8., C.M.G., Sur-geon-General Henderson, Colonel T. \V. Porter, C.8., Captain Donald . Simson (president of the lleturned Soldiers' Association), and other staff and. Territorial officers, members of the City Council, local members of Parliament, the executive of the society, and Messrs. Hugh Morrison, A. P. Whatman, Guy Williams, and Macdonald, four residents of the Wairarapa who have done so much, to assure the well-being of returned soldiers. The general public was admitted to the galleries, which were well peopled throughout the long and interesting evening. The chairman announced that apologies for absence had been received from the Hons. A. L. Herdtnan, It. M'Nab, and W. Eraser, Lieut.-Colonel Gibbon, Capt. Freeman, Paymaster Brown, ' Messrs. Harold Beauchamp, J. P. Luke, W. Ferguson, S. Kirkcaldie, L. 0. H. Tripp, and J. P. Firth. .

Ee also had to apologise for tho nonattendance of Capt. Hardham. A letter had been recoived from Capt. Hardhsun's wife, stating that he had to undergo an operation at 5 o'clock in the (Sunday) morning. "It is nothing serious," saidthe ohairman, "yet it is necessary." > It was also notified by the chairman that the cigars and cigarettes for the dinner had been provided by Messrs. Levin and Co. and G. Aldous, that Messrs. Riddiford, J.. Joseph, and Dr. Cahill had made, substantial contributions to the dinner fund, and for the rest of the expenditure the executive of the Patriotic Society were footing the bill. (Applause.)

The Empire's Cause. Sir Robert Stout wag called on to 6peak to the toast of "The Empire's Cause.' What was cur Empire and its cause? It was the largest Entire in the worldlarger even than, the Russian Empire. And not unly was it largest in territory, but it had the largest population in the world, . exceeding that, of densely-popu-[atcd China. But the greatness of a nation was not created by territory or people. It was the "class" or moral fibre of a' people that made a nation great. The British Empire, still stood before the world as''the. greatest nation the world had ever seen. " Sir Robert Stout drew attention tt> what Britain had done in the field of colonisation and in the arts and science. What was more to a nation than iiumbers of people was her moral standards, and what nation had 6hown a higher standard than England, whoso gates had been left wide open, and within which the oppressed of all nations had found peaco, quiet, and prosperity. (Applausß.) Not only had she welcomed the oppressed, but she had raised and enriched peoples she had conquered. In British rule there was always consideration and humanity, and the speaker. quoted examples of British humanity compared with the enemy's record of war in Belgium, Poland, and Armenia (where people had been talcon out in ships and emptied into the Black Sea). Why was England at war? Merely to redeem her plighted troth to a small nation. Was England decadent? Was her sun setting? The war had proved that she was' one of tho most virile nations in the world. We fighting at' Gallipoli had proved that. (Applause.) England was not yet dead! But what was Ker burden to be, for it was not a question of victory ? When a nation began doing what Germany had done—breaking her word, ill-treating women and children—that nation was punished by its own acts. It showed a low moral platform, and to use an old English terin, it had become damned. Go through the world, and you would find that the word of a German was not. to be taken. What was England's mission? To keep the flag of freedom flying. (Applause.) The flag of England had always been the flag of the free, and it had not only inculcated freedom, but kindness ,of heart and love for the weaker. If England was to fulfil her mission, they must show their .gratitude by coming forward to help her bear her burdens by practising self-sacrifice thrift, and carefulness—that was England's message. Given such aid they could not only look forward to an era of peace and prosperity, but the nation would have such a high moral tone as to make Jier preeminent throughout the world. (Applause.)

Speech by the Prime Minister. . On rising to respond, the Prime Ministor whs greeted with. a shout o£ "Good Old Bill!" Ho said he did not intend to elaborate on the sentiments which had been expressed a hundred times during the Anzac Day celebrations. What he would say was that when tho history of the war w:as written the work tho New Zealand soldiers lad done, coupled with tlie Australians, would be read with pleasure by the residents of tlie two countries as long as the sun continued to rise and sot. It had been suggested that some mention of. recruiting might be made. They all knew the great needs of the country, and ho trusted'that tho presence of so many returned men would prove an incentive for others to. enlist as soldiers of the King. He wished to say that the manhood of the country had dono its duty well and nobly, and there had been very little hanging back—there should be none! (Applause.) It was quite evident to him that. Germany was not yet at tho end of her resources, and was yet going to put up a big and desporatc fight before throwing up the sponge,, and now jyas tho ■time to exercise a grimnesa and determination to hang on until Germany would not be able to resist our advance. It was their duty before a lialt was called to crush Germany completely, and so make it impossible for this frightfulness ever to bo repeated. -What a chapter of horrors would bo the history of the war—lllo breaking of neutrality, „Hio crimes committed in Belgium aftef the Germans' first reverse (owing to their disappointment in not boing able to reach Paris), when all the worst traits of character were developed. Such devilish >cruolty nnd unscrupulonsness must be punished before the war camp to an end. He was afraid they had not apnrcciated tho organisation of the German Empire when war had broken out, for the more ho thought over tho early days of tho war the more it seemed to him they had been saved by a miracle. Though they had not in the past felt the effects of the war, •it was safe to assume that the time had a.rrivod when sacrifices were needed. Tlicy were feeling it to-day, and the longer the war lasted the more tliev would feel it. He had not tho slightest doubt that a peace could be arranged to-day, but uo one Power of tho Allies could do it. That was all fixed. . And any reasonable terms would be acepted. But that would bo a iieaco without honour— a peace that would lose us the respect of "the nations of tho earth, and was one that would enable Germany to repeat j •what was now going on. It was not a. class war, it was a .fight for our women nnd children, and our liberties To show how it was not a class war, the snealrer j pointed out the ready response to the call that was made by. every class, colour, i

ami creed in the Empire. They wore going to light as free men for our free institutions until tho end was attained. (Applause.)

"What Every Loyal Irishman Is Ashamed Of."

In referring to the trouble Gormany hail stirred up ill Africa, India, and the Balkans, lie said that what had happunod iu Ireland was what every loyal irishman was ashamed of. (Applauss.) They did not know much about, what was going on, but whatever it was, it was not goiii{j to last long, and tho sooner it wad put down tho better lor everyone. (Applause.) Ho noticed 111 tho Pross that tliey had lost another battleship. They did not regret the loss o£ tho ship so much, though it was a good one, so much. as the loss of a hundred of their gallant 6eamen, who had died for their country and Empire just as surely as in battle—died the best of deaths. '

Navy Stronger than Ever. Ho was not disclosing any secrets when he said that the Navy was stronger now than when war broke out. They were not depending uow on one Queen Elizabeth, or on one Lion or one Tiger, aud when the German tteet came out of Kiel to 6how tight, God heip theui, for thoy would never get back.: All's well than ends well, and it would all end well. (Applause and ciiuers.)

Deeds of Undying Valour. Sir Joseph Ward, who was greeted with loud cheers, said that though the war had been in progress nearly two years, not an iuck or British soil in any part of the world had been occupied, wjjilst Great Britain was in the proud position of having overrun and captured 1i,000,000' equaro miles of ' enomy territory. (Applause.) When General Smuts, who was tigliting in German East Africa, has so, cured another 300,000 square miles there, they would have in their possession 1,200,000 square miles, wliilst all the territory capturod by Germany in .'Russia, Belgium, Serbia, and France was less than 10,000 square miles. Ho thought that it was iinpcssiblc that Germany could hold out much longer. History showed that it was at the last battle that we always won, and lie had a strong feeling that this was going to be the case in this instance. It was not everyone who could .realise the difficult task imposed upon, the New Zealand and Australian troops and the British "Tommies"' at Gallipoli, but they had left on record deeds of heroism aud undying valour which added lustre to the golden pages of history handed down <0 ua by our forbears, and they would see that it was continued in tho future. (Applaufe and cheers.) '

The Guests of the Evening. Mr. Wilford, in proposing "Our Guests," expressed vory foeliusly and emphatic-■ ally how proud they all were oil the achievements at Gallipoli of those before him. It had been said that insufficient credit had been given -to the British troops who shared with New Zealand and Australia the honours of that campaign, and he threw out the suggestion, for what it was worth, that they nii»ht place the letter "B" before "Anzacs, and call them all "Banzacs." .'For these British troops had performed deeds of valoui. Remember tho Irish : Brigade. (Applause.) Eomember the 29th. (Thunders of applause.) After traversing the work done at Gallipoli, the chairman announced that Captain Hard-ham, V.C., was off to the front once more, an announcement that was received with cheers and the singing of "He's a Jolly Good Fellow." •

"Gallant Gentlemen, One and All!" Captain Donald Simson, in response, 6aid there was. only one reason why his name should appear before that ot Captain Hardham's on the programme, "iio is my senior officer," said Captain Simton," a V.C. man, our hero, and he's a man! But as the accepted, representative la the meantime of returned soldiers I have been honoured with the privilege of replying to the toast which: honours'you men. ... I look round the hall and see many quotations among the flags.. A year from to-day, when the' Patriotic Society will give another dinner, I want to .see in the centre: 'God Bless Those who did their duty—we've learnt our lesson!" Up till now you have not learnt it. From what has been voiced to-night, I think you are beginning to learn it. To-night they had met under the auspices of tho Patriotio Society at a reunion of returned soldiers. What did that mean'? Did any of those who were not soldiers realise what it meant to the soldiers to sit down at a table like the present one, one year after the landing on Gallipoli? Only those who had seen what actual war meant could realise what this reunion meant. The soldiers knew what a reunion meant at the front, after a morning or afternoon attack, whioh had failed or succeeded. There was no glorification, no joyous snouts or songs. It,was 'Bill's gone!' 'Tom's gone!' 'Jack's gono!' and then they went on with the game. This was a commemorative dinner—commemorative of what? Of a volunteer expedition undertaken by gentlemen—men wno went out wearing the King's uniform—gallant gentlemen, one and all! It was a dinner to commemorate the action of a colony of the Empire far removed from the nationhead, in giving proof of her gratitude and loyalty, to England. It commemo, rated our part in the Empire's war, waged for freedom, religion, and justice. (Applause.) Ladies and gentlemen," con, tinued Captain Simson, "there is a lesson to be learned from it, and ho lesson can be learned but by suffering—you've got to suffer before you.learn!" It had been said, and truly said, by Sir Joseph Ward that they always won the last battle! Why the last battle? Why sacrifice the best blood of the Empire needlessly? Why not put our all in the one and only battle and win it? Those who have surferred the loss of relatives, tho mothers who have lost sons, the wives who have lost husbands, they would loarn because they have suffered, and an enormous percentage of the population had not suffered, and you cannot bring it home to them. "I'm not a politician,", said .Captain Simson. "What are politics," he added. "Well, I will tell you." Politics, lie continued, were what they were fighting for—the politics ofreligion, freedom, and justice—they will be the politics of the future, and it would not end with victory and the clash of arms with Germany, for the after-effects of the war and questions arising out of them were going to tax tho best minds and bring out the best instincts not only of politicians, but of every man and woman capablo of thought. Only within tho > last two days had been formed a United Returned Soldiers' Association. Where there was any body of men gathered together thero was danger. There was danger in organisation. There was danger in playing on the sentimental side of the question of returned soldiers, but he was prepared to take, tho risk of trying to organise a Returned Soldiers' Association, and of endeavouring to get the best out of them and the best for them. They were an asset to Now Zealand and to humanity in solving the problems of tho war. Tho speaker sat down amidst cheers and the singing of "He's a Jolly Good Fellow."

After the spoeches, entertainment wa6 kindly provided by Mr. Walter Fuller, manager of His Majesty's Theatre, who arranged for a number of his artists to appear at tho Town Hall. Theso were Carlton Max (ventriloquist), Ted Stagpoolo (dancer and contortionist), Sydney Jones (comedian), and Neckelsonn (conjurer). Madamo Anderson sang charmingly, and Master Winston Macarthy gave a couple of Lauder items in inimitable style. Cheers were given for Mr. Fuller and each of tho artists was similarly honoured.

Wo have been asked to mention tliat tho decorations were by tho D.1.C., and tho catering was done by Mrs. Oscar Johnson.