THE BRITISH SPIRIT

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3080, 10 May 1917, Page 6

THE BRITISH SPIRIT

SURE GUARANTEE OF VICTORY 1 SPEECH BY HON. A. L. HERDMAN "We lire in momentous days," said the Hon. A. L. Herdman, AttorneyGeneral, at tho annual dinner of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce yesterday. "Tin's year will be memorable to the members of the National Government, as it will be to you. Yet wo must realise that the work of a Dominion Government during {he time of war, though difficult, is child's play compared with the superhuman task which has been set Imperial Ministers since the day the war commenced.. No ono can read the daily news without I realising how mighty nro the difficulties which those who rule England have to'overcome. Every day gives birth to a new problem, and not an hour goes by which is not filled with deep anxiety. "To-day we are faced with the following facts:—First: Enemy submarines are playinp. fast and loose with our mercantile marine: second: the food difficulty in Great Britain has become a. real one; third: if the food difficulty becomes more acute (and this fact affects directly an overseas country like New Zealand) Great Britain may bo forced to use her available ships to obtain food from the nearest point of supply. But serious as the issue may be, I have not now, nor have I ever had, any doiibt about the ultimate result: and I wiU tell you why. out knowing arythinz about thp arts of war, I have an unshakeable belief in the character and spirit of the British people. ■ I believe that British citizens have silently and tacitly entered into a solemn league and covenant that they will perish altogether rather than that the Prussian legions shall be free to roam at their sweet will over the face of the glolie. I pin my faith to British sentimei.tl It is my mascot!

Replies to Some Complaints. "AYhen one attempts to get a grip of the general situation one' is bound to remember that although the help that our Allies can givo us is of incalculable value, nevertheless, the burden of finding them money, of providing them with food, of assisting them.witn transport, and of protecting them at sea, falls with an ever-inpreasing weight upon the shoulders of Great Britain. What Great Britain v has done in this war will be regarded by the future recorder of events as one of the most wonderful achievements in the history of tho world.

"Let me turn now fo our own country, New Zealand. To complain and criticise is the prerogative of every Briton, and during this war he has not been backward about making use of his privilege. But whatever the critics may say, it is impossible to get away from the broad fact that during the years of this great war New Zealanders have enjoyed boundless prosperity. There has been a vast volume of com-i plaint, but not a great deal to com: plain about. Some have resented military, service. My belief is that it is the duty of every able-bodied man fn a time of war to render military service in the defence of his country. Voluntary service i s only 'footling' with the problem. If we had been wise, we should have had military service from the outset.

"Others complain because it is alleged tliat we . have not conscripted wealth. My answer to that is that we conscript wealth through tFe Taxing Department, and the day may come yet when it may bo necessary to insist that people shall do more. But no man, 'except a most unwise one, would take somo extreme action which might wreck an! dislocate the whole of the business machinery of the country. England is able to-day to accomplish what she is doing because of her vast stores of wealth. With it she has built a vast Fleet. She baa equipped a great army. She assists her Allies and her Overseas Dominions, and with it she will win this war. Never in Better Fighting Mood. "Some say we have passed too much restrictive legislation. Again I answer that in war time it is necessary. Enemy trade must be stopped, and has been stopped. People must be compelled to behave as loyal citizens. No one need tear War Regulations except, the man who wants to live in a country where thnr.j is no law, no social order, and no policeman. "I believ! thftt the people of New Zealand were never in a better mood for fighting this war through than they are to-day. They are prepared tc fight with all their might. They want the war finished in such a way that there will nevei be such another war for centuries. They, are prepared to find money. They are prepared to submit to taxation. And thev are prepared to say thai, the industries of this country, tlie dispatch of our troops and our supplies to the other side of the world, shall not be checked by arrangements that may be mode by misguided people in this country. ' They will keep the home fires burning, and send ships across the sea despite any conspiracy by any ill-advised section of the community. No Government need fear to, appeal to the people *f this Dominion for help. There ueftd he no timidity, no nervousness, no hesitation.

"My knowledge of this Dominion and its inhabitants justifies me in saying that- any decided lead alons; the road which makes for the speedy destruction and downfall of our enemy will receive the enthusiastic and wholesouled backing of every loyal man and woman in New Zealand." (Prolonged' applause.)