EMPIRE'S DESTINY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17283, 26 September 1916, Page 3

EMPIRE'S DESTINY.

STIRRING REVIEW SCENES. Itjwaa, indeed, a stirring scene when Mr Lloyd George and tho Kitchener of the Canadian Army, General Sir Sam Hughes, reviewed Canadian troops in London The Canadian Staff officers and the Russian Military Attache were also at tho saluting base. At the 'dose of the review Mr Lloyd. George made a short speech. After congratulating General Hughes and the men who had been on parade, Mr Lloyd Georgei proceeded:—"lt is a wonderful thing that in tho third year of tho war, when our foes are beginning to get exhausted, we should lie prepared to pour into the field troops of this quality. It is an inspiring sight; it is a sight which gives us confidence. (Applause.) At tho beginning of the war we sent 100,000 men as our Expeditionary Force. It was our conviction at that time that that was the contribution which the British Empiro could make. No.v Canada .alone has sent 120,000 men and she has many more in reserve. (Applause.) That gives hope, that giver, confidence, that gives conviction of ultimate \ictory to us all. Why has Canada done it? She has done it undoubtedly in order to stand by the Old Country in her difficulties. " That is not all. If the Old Country had got into trouble''through her own folly, if she had got into trouble through mere greed of possession, as is suggested by our foes, and if she had done it from mere envy of the prosperity of others, Canada and Australia, New Zealand and South Africa would not have caused their best blood ,to have flowed. It is because of the conviction which they had of the Old Country's chivalry that Canada has flung her weight into the battle in orde.r to protect the weak against the oppressor. That is why her sons in all parts of the world have stood ry her side in this great struggle. They havo corao from the prairies of Canada, from the' great isles of the southern seas, from Afric's sunny fountains and India's coral strand. They have come to help Britain in the greatest struggle for human freedom in which she has been called upon to take part.

" And well have they helped us. I am here as a Britisher to think Canada for her contribution in this war. The brilliant description by Sir Max Aitken of the second battle of Ypres will be rend for many a long day. Just as the Rocky Mountains break 'he storms of the west, so did those heroes in the battle of Ypres resist* the hurricane of German ' furies. Amid the flames and poisonous fumes of Gehenna they held high the honour of Canada and saved the British Army. For this great struggle we need your help. It is a struggle for freedom, but iu this struggle 'we are federating this great .r:mp:re for greater enterprises even in the- future.

"When I saw this magnificent battalion inarching past to-day I was filled with pride of their power.?, their strength and their promiso of what they will do. I.know what they will do. I.know tlte victory which they will bring to the cause of humanity and freedom, and, from the bottom of my heart, T congratulate you, General Sir Sam Hughes, and I congratulate you who command thorn, and in the struggle that is in front of you nay the Lord of Hosts be with you." (Cheers.)