FOR MOTHERS OF SOLDIERS AND SAILORS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3064, 27 April 1917, Page 2

FOR MOTHERS OF SOLDIERS AND SAILORS

SPEECH BY SIR JAMES ALLEN. Another very successful gathering of tho mothers of soldiers and sailors was held in tho Concert Chamber yesterday afternoon, organised by the Honorary Division of the Womon's National Reserve. The guests of the occasion wero received by tho president, Mrs. G. W-. Russell, and Mrs. Porter . (organising secretary for tho Women's National lloserve of New Zealand), and a musical programmq of songs and instrumental items provided much pleasure. Afternoon tea was handed around by Mrs. D. M'Laren and a band of helpers after which tho Hon. Sir James Allen (Minister of Defence) epoko very sympathetically to tho mothers who wore gathered in the room. < Speaking as one who had suffered through the war, he told his hearers that ho could sympathise with those among thorn who had lost their boys, and he was sure of this, that though they had lost them, yet something had been gained in their place, for something; spiritual had been left them. Their boys, some of thorn, had , made the great sacrifice for their country, for the cause of. right, that others might ,bo saved, and so. though thoy wero lost in tho body to those who loved them they were not lost in the spirit. Mothers and fathers when they sought it, could always bo sure of finding this spiritual assurance. In the early days of the history of this country, continued the Minister, tho mothers must have possessed a fine courage and determination' when they faced the trials of. pioneer life, and this eamo courage, this'.same spirit, this same determination, thoy had most assuredly passed down to thoir sons. The name which New Zealanders had won in this great war resounded! to tho credit of the mothers of this country. As might be easily ■understood, details of tho achievements of our men and of their, conduct were knowii to him which were unknown to tho public, and from this knowledge thoy could take assurance that ,tho name of the New Zealand'lads, whether at Gallipoli, in Egypt, in Mesopotamia, in India, in Franco, or wherever they were, Tvas an honoured namo. By their conduct they were known as gentlemen, and in England the namo of N«w Zealand was almost a name to conjure with.

Here in New Zealand he and others had had many anxieties regarding tho safe transport of our soldiers to thoir destination overseas, but of this he would like to assuro. those present— that no stono was leftninturned to provide for. their safety on the seas. Our great Navy ,still commanded tho ocean, and from the moment they loft our', shores, protected the transports night and' day till they reached their journey's end.

In ending his speech the Minister emphasised tho treachery it would be to tho bravo lads who had given up their lives for their country, and to thoRO who woro still fighting, if ever wo allowed pur reinforcements to fall short in their numbers. Our obligations to them alone could, not allow us to fail them, if wo valued our' honour as a people. . ..... . ■'■■' ■ ■ . Mr. P. M'Larcn a]so spoke to the meeting, and paid a "warm tribute to tho patriotism of Now Zealand mothers.