THE LAST YEAR?

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 272, 6 August 1918, Page 6

THE LAST YEAR?

WORDS OK CHEER FROM HON T M. WILFORD.

ft Wnf'T'the Hon" commencement of the war. Let us hope that tho fifth year nf Ind tC !' n b ? n° year of 'leli'veranco WiLrd '"A i llbo / ,at . lon " said Mr. "K ~ lho effect of (ho nconi in' 06 ® viril ,° and toedom-loving nn» i'ram ' Cal 'l c '^ SD S ed the wa? map iiorn a sombre colour to a briirht one. Jho United Stales "will neither J l i? wu , nor out. They wero behind timc-tablo at first; i,ow they aro to "ie minute, and tho Kaiser and his liordo know this. 'Russia's colto° but thfiu ® disa PP° iulD1 ent of tho war, but the Muirman landing, tho adrisincr n f f / ll ° Czecko-Slovaks, and the wfll nUkrainians against Germany will dia,w German soldiers in tho near Mure from the West to tho East, and wo will see the Bolsheviks, Trotskv and ?™ ln Ci°i » VOC n e inte i'national sociali~m, backed by (lie Kaiser's army in order that they may hold their own. Tho end of the reign of Trotsky and Lenin is at hnnd. America has.bv her saving action changed tho whole course of human destinies. It will be a world 'made j m <1 ?! no 1 c ™ c .V. J where tho jackboot a place SP C llelmct '"N M 'onger find "Tho fact that Great Britain strove jar peace at tho outbreak of war has been proved by tho revelatbns of Prince ■Ucfcnowsky, who was German Ambassador at London on August 4, 1914. No longer can the question bo' in doubt. Moreover, we know now that Germany bomajed its own Ambassador, made him a decoy, and used his good faith to dupe those who behoved in it. 'Tho things,' says Garvin, "for which German militarism stands cannot live with the things for 7»ck tho Allies stand without renewed convulsions and slaughter. It is now ov never with us. I ibeliove it is DOW*.

Lord Lansdownc, or 'ITandsdowii,' as Bottomley calls him, with pious uttering.? urges ns 'to fumble with olivo branches wlnlo Germany is tent on smashing troedom and democracy with tho hammer of Thor.' If to-day thero is any slackening of enomy effort, then to-day it is our turn for an offensive Back Foch! He knows. Is it a battle of brains ? Back Foch! He has proved himself when lie had 110 army like the fresont and when Germany was ready 'to the last button.'

, "J 11 . 1 ' 1 ? air > OIL the water, and on Ihe , to-day the Allies are all effective and will Tender a good account of themselves while the ringing words of General Berthelot, cabled to us to-day, that Marfaux, Chaumazy a.nd Bligny must l>o inscribed in letters of gold in the anjials of our regimonts,' set the scat on tho fame of tlioso brave New. Zealanders who have shown themselves ready to lay down their lives for us all. Geriefrali6simo Foch is commanding those brave boys, the battles are 'being fought on the soil of France, and for (lie life cf Franco and the world. Germany's best hour and best chance hai>o passed for ever,"

MEETING AT KARORI. A public meeting was held at Karori last evening in connection with the fourth anniversary of the war. The Mayor (Mr. B. U. H. Burn) presided but (he attendance of the public was very small, most of tho suburban residents preferring to attend tho function in the city.

The Mayor, in opening the proceedings, said that although there were not many present there were more present than oil any previous occasion. Ho thought tlmt this was a time when we wanted every man. He referred lo the fact that it was 'predicted lliat the war would end in 1919, and said whether it ended next year or later Brilish pluck and endurance would see it through until victory was won. The Mayor then read the Defence Minister's stirring letter to the Mayor and. council inviting them to call a nuijlio meeting and lo pass a resolution, the official resolution was formally moved, Councillor V. Skegg seconded the motion, and said that it might seem somewhat ridiculous for a small borough like Karori to pass such a resolution, but he yoinl°d out that every Ixirough and village m New Zealand would be passim/ theresolution, and Knrori/'had done its" duty as the Honours Beard, winch K.od not yet been unveiled, e.learlv showed. TJo said it was necessary further to pass such a resolution as a. set-nIT to tho vapouring* of the pacifists who had done nothing to lielp in the war. TTe would rattier s«e the war i'i"i(iiiu"d for another livo pithree years than have an inconclusive peace. I The motion was carried unanimously.

The Wellington Chamber of Commerce passed the following resolution at yesterday's meeting:—"That 011 this ilie fourth anniversary of the declaration of a righteous war, this meetiug of the council

o/ the Wellington Chamber of Commerce records its determination to do all in its power to eonlinne to a victorious end tho struggle in maintenance of those ideals of liberty and justice which are Ihe common and sacred cause of tlio Allies."

At its meeting yesterday tlio "Wellington branch ol' tlio Italian Red Cross Koeioty carried a resolution, proposed by tho ehaiman (Mr. L. 0. H. Tripp), similar to Hint proposed and carried at the other meetings held that evening.

GATIIERiNGS_ELSEWHERE By Telesrraph.—Pi'ceb Association. Thames, August 5. An enthusiastic public meeting was held to-night, presided over by the Mayor, who moved the. resolution expressing determination to prosecute tho war to a victorious issue. The speakers to the resolution included Mr. T. W. .Rhodes, 11.P., ministers of religion, and repvesejitatives of public bodies. The motion was carried unanimously. Pahiatua, August 5. A large gathering held at tho Flagstaff this afternoon endorsed the war resolution enthusiastically. On Sunday a military parade wa.s held, also reiinveiling of rolls of honour in town and country. Nelson, August 5. Sir James Allen, Acting-Prime Minister, was the principal speaker at a largo citizens' gathering, which expressed inflexible determination to prosecute • tne war to a successful conclusion. Ho was present at a luncheon to returned soldiers, hi the afternoon there was a monster procession and a gathering in Trafalgar Park in aid of tlio Italian Red Cross. Hamilton. August 5. A crowded, enthusiastic united service was held yesterday afternoon, and tho war anniversniy resolution affirming determination t? do the utmost to win the war was carried. Napier, August 5. The resolution to continue the war until a victorious conclusion was carried by a large meeting of citizens in tho Municipal Theatre, presided over by the Mayor (Mr. H. Hill). Mr. J. V. Brown, member for. tho district, and Colonel Macdonald also spoke. Chrlstchurch, August 5. A largo meeting in Cathedral Square unanimously passed the Empire resolution to continue the war to a victorious termination. Timaru, August 5. A war anniversary meeting held at midday was largely attended. Addresses were given by the Deputy-Mayor (Mr. Raymond), and Mr. J. Craigie. M.P. The official resolution was carried, with tho addition (after the word determination) of tho words, "with the help of God."

COMMEMORATE SEPiCES IN BRITAIN (Rec. August 5, 7.50 p.m.) London, August 4. Services commemoratory of the oiitry of the fifth year of tho war wore held throughout Britain. Special services were conducted in all tho churches, Tho King and Queen, members of tho Royal Family and of the House of Lords and tho Ilouso of Commons were preseut at an' impressive service held at St. Margaret's Church, Westminster. Tho following messages have been issued to the peoplo on the ove of tho entry of the new year of the war:— ;From Mr. Massey; "We liavo had many disappointments, but have also much to be thankful for. Wo can confidently say that wo are stronger to-day than at any lime in our "history. There is now no jeason for pessimism, but every reason for confidence." From General Botha: "With four years of war behind us it has been clearly proved that a peaco without victory would be disastrous. Let us press forward with unfailing courage, ami wo will ba rewarded by that success which ■ is essential to tho world's peace." from Sir Robert Borden: "The task is not accomplished, but the pledge wo made must not bo broken, Tradition has found undying history, and the glorious ' achievements of a thousand years cannot bo broken. Wo are bound alike to ' those who havo fallen and those yet unborn to hold our heritage." Mr. Massey, presiding at die Y.M.C.A. service at tho Aldwycli Theatre, said ' that Germany had aimed to kulturise ' tho world and mako Berlin a kind ol I New Jerusalem. Thoy had failed. Tho - tide had turned, and an Allied victory ] was now assured—Aus.-N.Z. Cabie i Assn. ( i

THE DAY IN AMERICA New York, August 4. Ths newspapers throughout the'country, in their articles on the anniversary of tho war, pay -tributes to England anil tho part she has played. The Now York "World" savs: "Never since the beginnings of England havo he.r peoplo risen to nobler heights of duty. When viciory is.finally won over Prussianism it will be due to the intervention of British sea power more than to anything else." 'J'ho New York "Herald" says: "Wlion .Britain declared war against Germany sho sounded tho kneil of the Kaiser'iJ world ambitions. England has raised more men in proportion to her population than any of her Allies, and has also made greater contributions in money."-' Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

AUSTRALIA RESOLVED

Sydney, August 5. Meetings throughout the Commonwealth passed resolutions expressing determination to conlinuo tlio struggle to ■bring tho war to a victorious end—Press Assn.