RECRUITING IN IRELAND

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 306, 14 September 1918, Page 7

RECRUITING IN IRELAND

APPEAL FROM NEW ZEALAND'S IRISH PREMIER. , (From the "Irish Times.") The Irish Recruiting Council, 23 St. Stephen's Green, has received the following message from the . Right Hon. W. 'F. Massey, Prime Minister of New Zealand. Mr. Massey, who has been a member of the New Zealand House of Representatives since 1898, was born in Ireland in 1856, and' has visited this country since the beginning of the war.' He is at present in London attending the Imperial Conference:— "It will be readily admitted that during the presen.t war many Irishmen have done all that it was possible for men to do as loyal citizens of the British Empire. They have distinguished themselves by their _ valour on. the ba'ttlefield and in civil life by their .enthusiasm for the glorious cause which the Allies are united in defending. Butthere are still many natives of Ireland who hove riot yet risen to a sense of their duties and responsibilities in the great struggle, on which depends the future of civilisation.' To these latter I would appeal, 'before the opportunity pa-sses, to" remember that Irishmen have always been on the side of liberty and freedom, the very cause for which in this awful struggle the best blood of the Allied nations has been poured out. Let them remember that Germany, by her record in this war, stands for the crushing of the small nations, for military despotism, oppression, and cruelty. These, are the issues, and there'is no middle course. He who refuses to assist the Allies, by doing so assists Germany. ■ "The nations responsible for all these outrages have staggered and horrified humanity during the last four years. "This is not the time to keep up sectional differences or past grievances. This is a time for Irishmen especially to remember that the honour of their country and the safety, of civilisation are at stake. Let them think of the Irish regiments who have suffered heavily in recent battles. Let them remember their gallant countrymen who have made'the supreme sacrifice in this war, then let them act as their instincts of loyalty and generosity dictate by joining ; th'e ranks of the Allies, and. while there is yet time, striking a blow for Hghtoousness and justice. "W. F. MASSEY. "Prime Minister of Now Zealand."