NEED OF THE EMPIRE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 202, 15 May 1918, Page 7

NEED OF THE EMPIRE

THE CALL FOR GREAT MEN.

Some war references were made by Mr, iV. J. Larner, president of the Auckland Orphans Club, at the opening meeting of the 1918 season on Saturday. Mr. larner said the Navy and the Army were doing their jobs magnificently. "Fresh in our memory," he said,- "is the Inst daring deed of the Navy on the Belgian coast. It is with pride and pleasure that we hear that New Zealand was represented. With it we can couple the (historic landing on Gallipoli. Pessimists, the faint-hearted,' and croakers should take courage. .With such a Navy and Army as our's victory must be with us before the flag is furled. "What can be said of those who are left at home "to direct and control, and ■how are,,they doing their work P"/asked Mr. lamer. "Thinking people are asking that question, and are inquiring' if the best brains of the Empire are left -to face the great problems at. present to be faced and others which must bo faced after the war. Tho nation is calling for its greatest men—men with great principles and ideals, men whose lovo of country stands first; men who are not bjased by fear or favour, but whose sense, of reward is that they have served their country. The Empire is not only catering for her great men, but. is. calling us to rid us of the small men who aTe occupying great men's places and positions, and those who have been given important Government positions which they are not competent to hold. (Applause.) "It is a regrettable thing that slackers and shirkers should be allowed to smirch the fair name of a nation," continued Mr. Larner, "and that our Empire should have men of such a type suggests that something is lacking, or something is wrong. It is a matter for congratulation that there are few in this country. 'Iho greatness of a ration rests ore the ■unity and concord of its subjects. Our sphere of influence is practically confined to New Zealand—the outpost of civilisation—but let us mako that infiuenco felt to tho interest of this fair Dominion and .the good of its people." (Applause.)