COMPULSORY SERVICE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3132, 10 July 1917, Page 4

COMPULSORY SERVICE

NEW ZEALAND'S LEAD BEING FOLLOWED. By Telegraph—Press Association. Pukekohe, July 3. , In alluding to the question of commit sory service at the reception to-day, Air. Massey said that America and Canada had followed the example of New Zealand. He believed that Australia yeb also would have to follow the lead. In spite of the unfortunate referendum last year Australia had done very well. He had gained considerable inside information, and .without giving away any secrets he cc.uld Kay that the enemy Powers, were weakening, both from a military and financial point of view. They, however, had not yet Teached the point of collapse, and they would last at least until tho next European -winter set in. "As to ourselves," he continued, "I hope that there will be no weakening, no slackening. Our duty is to go right ahead, not to look behind, but to press forward until a decisive victory and permanent peace is assured. There would be no brighter page in British history than that which would tell of the magnificent response of the' overseas Dominions to tho call of the Empire- in the time of her need and peril. (Applause.) Wo would liavo to go on until tlie power of evil was taken away from Germany and her Allies. Anything published in this country or in anv other British Dominion that could possibly be used to influence the people of Germany was circulated in the enemy's country, and what would the German people say if they heard that the New Zealand people were slackenin" and desiring 'to withdraw from the war? He knew there was no possibility of such a thing, but care should be taken to'avoid even the creation of an impression that such was the case. In touching on the same subject at the banquet to-ntsbt, Mr. Massey said: "We liavo got to w> on till the end comes, whenever the end does come. Wβ liavo got to s?e that we do not break faitn with those men who have died for their I\i'>ir and country and Emprre. Sir James Allen, also speaking, at the recention, said lie did not believe there •would l,e any slackening jn the prosecution of the war cither in New Zealand or in any other portion of the Empire. America, tho eiant peace country, and Canada, were following New Zealand's lead in regard to conscription, and he believed Australia would yet also do bo. '