ON TO VICTORY

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2842, 5 August 1916, Page 10

ON TO VICTORY

OUR DETERMINATION

HUN MURDERERS MUST BE PUNISHED

TOWN HALL ASSEMBLAGE

DOMINION'S SHARE IN MEN

AND FOOD

Citizens of 'Wellington assembled in tho Town Hall Inst evening, and again recorded their determination to assist, in carrying the war through till victory for the Allies was proclaimed, whatever tho sacrifice. In the course of his address, the Prime Minister stated that there were 64,000 New Zealanders in arms—s2,ooo at the front and 12,000 in camp. Tho audience, enthusiastic throughout, roused' itself considerably when Mr. Masse.v, relating a few of the horrors of the Hun, declared that tho blood of the murdered cried out for vengeance, and that he hoped tho cry would not go forth in vain.

The Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke), speaking for Wellington, said its citizens wero determined to do' and suffer to whatever extent was necessary to bring about a glorious victory for the Allies. For years Germany had sought world power, but Britain and her Allies wero resolved that the world would not bo dominated by the Hun. If necessary, an indemnity must be paid by Germany, Belgium must be restored, France's two provinces must be restored to her, and the German navy handed over to the British people. We, by the way, had a navy worth talking of. But what 'of the German navy? Its chief activity was a submarine campaign of an inhuman and dishonourable character. Like our Navy, our Army was a thing, to bo proud of, thanks, in n great measure, to tho late Lord Kitchener. We should not forget our own men, who had made historv at Gallipoli, and were now fighting in France. He hoped that the men coming back wounded from the front would be cared for by the people of New Zealand with all kindness. He moved:—

"That, on this, the second anniversary of the declaration of a righteous wnr, this meeting of the citizens of Wellington records its inflexible determination to continue to a victorious end the struggle in maintenance of those ideals of Liberty and Justice which are the common and sacred cause of the Allies." ,

I 64,000 Men. The Prime Minister (the Right Hon. W. i\ Massey) said it had given him a great deal of pleasure to bo present. Ho regretted that the stormy weather and the Friday night shopping had made the attendance somewhat less than it otherwise would have been, but lie felt sure that whatever lacked in numbers would be made up by enthusiasm. He mentioned that he had already been notified before coming to the meeting that the resolution moved by tho Mayor had been carried at iifty-one places in New Zealand. It was well, on this second anniversary of the war, to 'hold a kind of stock-taking, and see how we, stood in the great struggle, and how we had done our part. Sometimes, in the past twelve mouths, the news had not looked good, but ou the whole the outlook was now bright. He was thinking of that dismal Saturday morning when the news of the North Sea fight camo through. The news was bad at tho start, and ns every succeeding telegram arrived the situation looked worse, and it seemed as if tho very foundations of the Empire were.being shaken. However, fhe people of New /Jealand stoo.d up to the occasion admirably. Then, in the end, it was a great relief to find that the British Navy had won a great victory—the greatest since Trafalgar.

Referring to the death of Lord Kitchener, Mr. Massey paid a high tribute to the great Field-Marshal, and said that we were 110 doubt doing exactly what Lord Kitchener would have like.d 11s to do in meeting and resolving to fight oil till victory was attained.

Our soldiers had done wonderfully. They liacl been a credit to their country, and had proved equal to the best troops, in the world. (Applause.) He thought New Zealand had done its duty well, tjn till a few days ago, 51,000 of 'the pick of New Zealand had taken up arms and left their native shores to go to the front. They /did not represent all tho New Hcalandors at 'the front, because many (say, 1000) had enlisted in Australia and England. Also, there were 400 nurses, which brought the number up to quite 52,000. Then there were 12,000 more in camp, which meant that (ii,ooo men from this little Dominion had rallied to the call to arms.

Blood Cries for Vengeance. We had . also sent thousands of horses and huge stores of meat and cheese. New Zealand was paying for its share in the war, and endeavouring to do its full duty. He whs proud of all that, and more proud that it was all done quietly. 'i;-.e compulsion measure was now law, and,' therelore, as long as tl',:re were men in the country fit for service we would be able to fulfil our obligations to the Empire. We had so far fulfilled them to the letter; we were not a man behind in camp, or at the front. The measure would enable the Government to make the shirker do his duty, but, after all, he did not believe there were many shirkers in New Zealand.

The Allies had drawn a ring of steel around the enemy, and thf'y would draw the ring so tight that the enemy would be glad to sue for peace. lie could not help thinking that punishment must he meted out to tho Germans for their crimes and their murders. (Prolonged applause.) He was thinking of the murder of Captain Fryatt, of the murder of Nurse Cavell, of the sinking of the Lusitania, and the enslavement of women. The British were not' 1 a 'vindictive people, but the blood of those murdered people cried out for vengeance. F°. hoped it would not cry in vain. (Further applause.) The Fleet that Fled. Sir Joseph Ward said that when they met last year on the occasion of the fir«t anniversary of the great war they had also heard of the formation of the National Government. Now thov ini"ht celebrate that coalition. Referring "to New Zealand's part in the war, TlO remarked that the German Bernhardi had said: "England can employ her regular army on tho Continent only so long as everything is quiet in the colonies." We had all seen what attitude the coloniis had adopted. And tho colonies, New Zealand included, were to-day as determined as ever to sec the war through- to tho end by doing their part to tho utmost of their ability. "What changes had occurred in the year! What a change on the Russian front! ,Now we were getting news of how the enemy was fearing his inevitable defeat. What stuff Germany had circulated about the Jutland battle. They had claimed a great victory. In truth they had run away, and they had not, shown their noses out of their own waters since. The meeting was for the purpose of' demonstrating to tho world our determination to continue our part in the war, no matter whether it ended in the present year, the next year, or'the year after. (Applause.) No Decadence of England, "When this war broko out wo heard soniethuig about tlio decadence of England," remarked Sir Robert Stout, "and we were told that sho had a small and contemptible army." England'-'had shown that sho was not decadent, and even her army now was considered second to nono in Europe. Neither had there been any sign of decadence in any other part (if the British Empire. The only decadence may havo been in being too easy with tho country which was now our toe. Germany was a crufcl and unscrupulous Power, and her name was .1 by.-word among tho nations of fhe earth. In that she was already punished, but there must be further punishment. We must framo our policy so that Germany would understand that punishment must follow evil deeds. England

.tad shown, by Uie number of great men wlio hud come to the lrout Unit she was still yreat. Wo hud had sailors equal to Nelson, Drake, and Collingwood, and soldiers equal to Marlborougu ana Wellington. But not only in her leaders had England shown her greatness. The soldiers and women working in munition factories had helped to prove England's greatness. The graves on Gallipoli, in France, and in Mesopotamia, rcininded us that England's tuturo would be as glorious as her past, 110 thought we had done well in the past year, and mentioned that in some islands of the Hebrides all the men had gone to tho war. Ho wo must not imagine that we were the only peoplo who had made siicriiices. The whole Umpire had risen to the occasion. An Appeal for Thrift. Many of our peoplo who could not go to tho front had given, liberally. of their money. We must, still go on. W'e must provide money, nml seo that the families whose breadwinners had gone to the war did not suffer. There . wns more to do. After the war our resources would have to be replenished. How would we do that? We would have to work harder, be raoro thrifty, jind use less luxuries. If we wero to bo patriotic that must be done. AVliy not begin now. He was only a boy at the time, but he remembered that it was after the Crimean War that tho trouble came; and so it was with the Franco-Prussian, war. 110 wns of opinion that we wero not thrifty enough. Ho had taken out statistics, and had found that in the first six months of this year we had spent .£150,000 more on alcohol and tobacoo than wo spent last year. We hnd spent .£40,(100 more on silk raiment, and we had made :!71,!)G. r > more gallons of beer. These figures did not indicate thrift. If wo were to be loyally patriotic wo must bo thrifty, and keep our soldiers and ourselves efficient. If we did not do this what was the use of talk of winning sea fights and land kittles? As wo/ sowed, so would we reap. If we were not thrifty, and sowwisely, we would reap a whirlwind of troublo. It was usoless deceiving ourselves. The resolution was carried amidst cheering, and tho audienco stood while the Trentham Band played various National Anthems. IN THE CITY CHURCHES. In the city churches tho second anniversary of tho war was made the occasion of a. day of special intercession and prayer. Prayers were offered for the success of our arms and for our men at the front. The services drew good attendances, and they were marked by great fervour. . SUBURBAN GATHERINGS. At Petone a well-attended open-air meeting was held outsido the council chambers, presided over by the Mayor (Mr. J. W. M'Ewan), and the war declaration resolution was carried. Mr. Jl'Ewan referred to the resources of tho Allies, and commended the gallantry of the French.

Councillor Anderson said that, to him, it seemed nlmost unnecessary to movo the resolution. The very fact of young fellows over-stating and middle-aged men under-stating their ages in order to join tilt.- Forces was ovidenco that we were determined to continues the war to a successful finish. (Cheers.)

Counolllor Cox said that on tho anniversary of the declaration of wnr the resolution would be carried year after year, even if it took twenty vear.s to vanquish IhG enemy. Even if we are dead and gone, he continued, we know that those who come after us will carry ,a similar resolution until the war is over. (Applause.) • At the Lower Hutt the Mayor (Mr. H. Baldwin) presided over a meeting held in tlip council chambers. Meetings were also held in various other suburban areas. MERCHANT SERVICE RESOLUTION. A special meeting of the Merchant Service Guild held yesterday passed the following resolution:—"That 011 this the second anniversary of the declaration of a. righteous war this meeting records its determination to continue to a victorious end the struggle, in maintenance of those ideals of liberty and. justice which are the common ami sacred cause of tho Allies." The meeting also decided to appeal to the Imperial and Colonial Governments to make it illegal for any German to enter the merchant service in any capacity whatsoever. "THE 'PACT OP LONDON" COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS* ' SENTIMENTS. Members of the Commercial Travellers' Club ami Warehousemen':) Association foregathered in tho club-house, at the luncheon liour yesterday, to record their determination, in common with their fellow citizens throughout the Empire, to see the war through, a large number being present, 'i'ho proceedings ivcro opened by tlie president (Mr. W. J. Brillson), who said that it was felt that, as they had taken such an active interest in the various movements to help on tho war, their nieuiboOjs should be afforded the opportunity of expressing their feelings 111 regard to its continuance. Ho then called upon Mr. C. B. Morison, K.C., who moved the resolution proposed at various other meetings. Mr. Morison reviewed the history of the war from the fateful day in August, l'Jld, when war was declared by.Great Britain upon Germany, and pointed out.that the position was infinitely better to-day than it was 011 the first anniversary of the war, when, by .sheer force of numbers ami superior equipment, Germany was abto to uverruii Belgium and Northern Prance, because she was prepared and we were not. 11l oue of his recent utterances' the Kaiser had told the people of Germany they must be prepared to face hard times during the coming year. That ho regarded as a practical admission of defeat. But tho Kaiser did not yet realise what he was up against. There was a little document known as "the 'pact of London," that spell, defeat for him, each 01 the Allies having agreed not to make or accept a separate peace. Germany by her materialistic spirit and indifferenco to individualistic feeling had laid the foundations of her own downfall, and ■when her soldiery were let loose in Belgium and Northern France their brutal passions found vent, and were responsible for the fearful outrages of which they bad read. Mr. Morison paid a high tribute to the self-saerilico of Belgium and Russia, and to the French people, remarking in regard to the latter that they had been accustomed to base their views upon the character of the French by tho doings of tho gay city of Paris. But they were wrong, and they wern wrong too in the estimate they had formed of Russia ami tho Russians, the French ami the Russians alike having proved themselves to be brave fighters and humane in their treatment of their ad. versaries. We owed much to their sacrificial spirit in holding,up the enemy until we had time to get into the fray. 1 ]0 confessed that he was an Optimist in regard to the war, and said he was confident that victory must rest, with the Allies. Britain's very mistakes and bunglings proml that. Mr. George j'irie seconded the resolution. which was carried unanimously, tho National Anthem being heartily sung at the close of ; the proceedings. The president thanked Mr. Morison on behalf of tho members for his address. IN OTHER CENTRES By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurch, August 4. The second anniversary of the war was marked with services at the cathedrals and churches, at which there were large congregations. A public meeting was held in Cathedral Square, at which the resolulion was passed. Duncdin, August 4. At a public meeting in llis Majesty's Theatre to-night, the resolution circulated by the Prime Minister was carried unanimously. Similar meetings were held in the suburbs-and country districts. Napier, August 1. Tho Prime Minister's resolution was carried by a nublic meeting in the Nnpiei Municipal Theatre, and in every town and hamlet in tho district. Timaru, August 4. Tho war anniversary mcrting was fairly well attended, 'despite the cold and rain. The Mavor,\ Mr. Guinness, ami Mr. Rolleston wore'i the speakers. Tho set resolution was carried. Oamaru, August 4. The special resolution was unanimously

earned to-day. The Mayor and the "Revs. Ijnbinson (Presbyterian) and Loehore (Methodists) were the speakers.

Feilding, August -1. A big gathering carried the war resolution to-day. Tile motion was proposed by tho Deputy-Mayor, Mr. Harford, and seconded by Archdeacon Jono3.

Woodville, August -1. Tho weather was fine to-day, when a representative meeting was held at the Drill Hull, and enthusiastically passed the war resolution, moved by the Mayor and seconded by Lioul.-Colouc-l Stevenson. A spirited united service was conducted by ministers. OBSERVANCE IN SYDNEY OPTIMISTIC NOTE IN, SPEECHES. Australian-New Zealand Cable Association, (fiec. August 4, 9.15 p.m.) „ Sydney, August 4. Iho war anniversary wns marked by tew minutes' cessation of activity a*t noon add shinping blowing their syrens. An of>l'imisuo note, was characteristic of the speeches at the various meetings, mi<l each recorded the Empire's infiex> ibio determination io curry Hio war to a victorious end.