A STIRRING SPEECH.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2121, 2 July 1907, Page 3

A STIRRING SPEECH.

Colonel R. Davies, C. 8., InspectorGeneral of the New Zealand Forces, in the 00111*86 of a speech at Hawera recently, said there were only two nations in the world—Britian and the United States—which relied for defence, upon the volunteers. We had not fought one of the Continental nations since they had recognised that every man should take his share in the defence of his country by conscription or otherwise, and we did not 'know what would lia”*' n n if we met. The position was serious. “Our Nation,” said the Colonel,. “is getting too pleasure-loving, too luxurious, and too money-grubbing. I hope wo will wake up.” He went on to refer to physical training. As to football, he said there were 15 players running about, and sometimes 30,000 people screaming at them. Now, if the 30,000 ran about there would be some sense ill it, but what he wanted was that young men should realise that they had to take a share in the defence of their country. There were many people who were quite prepared to die for their country when tlie occasion arose, but they were not prepared to work for it. The British Army was the finest in the world. At one end were the officers, many of whom entered for the love of it; at the other end were the men, who had to be taken young before they got to other work. We did not get the flower of the nation by any means, and when this was remembered, it was simply, marvellous that* we had such a good army. It indicated what a magnificent army we would have if it was compulsory for everyone to take Iris share, and we had the pick of the brains to draw upon.