ON A NEW ZEALANDER KILLED IN FRANCE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 113, 5 February 1918, Page 2

ON A NEW ZEALANDER KILLED IN FRANCE

June 7, 1917. Why was lie lighting there, in the fields of France, ■ ; Uo that was born afar in the 'Long Whito Isle, Killed by a bursting shell in a moment's chance, Standing beside his gun, with tho steadfast smilo? Dearly he loved the land There his lot \yas castBush and forest and river, the open life, Oamp with its gay advonture, and home at last Far from tumult of men and the world at. strife. Ever tho native sights and sound appealed, Ti-tree blossom; the wish of the parted Pishing or Bhooting wild duck far afield, Tracking the stag to his lair in the lonely bush; Home, with its varied task; on field and farm, vSheep and cattlc and crops, as seasons pasß; ' Home with its simple pleasures and growing charm, Glory of flower and tree and shaven grass; , Home with its tics of kindred close and dcar ' . , Knit with the gathering strands of a wider range— . Why did he leave all thu to bo stricken here, Far from home, in a distant land nnd strange? God and hit soul con say; we feebli" fail Trying 'to sound tho dtp In of a noblo mind: Strong in the Trill to make tile Right prevail,- , Pleasure and fear lie utterly cast behind: Saw in our foes the foc-8 of the hopes of man, v Craving a world to use for their swollen pride, Lying and plotting to serve their selfish plan, Making their god of a Junker glorified. So with tho ties that pulled at his heart he strove, Strong in the passion [or Right, hu faith serene Nursed by the air of the land that claimed his love; Made his choicc, nor recked of the . might-have-been. God be thanked for <ur sons who tiavo died in Prance • True to country and blood and freedom's call, Living in simple service a high romance, Crowning their days by the gift supreme of all. —P K.JI. (The "British Empire Review").