SECOND ANNIVERSARY OF THE WAR.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1594, 5 August 1916, Page 2

SECOND ANNIVERSARY OF THE WAR.

At the invitation of the Mayor, the public assembled in front of the Council Chambers last night, at 7.30 o’clock, to pass the following motion: —“That, on this, the second anniversary of the declaration of a right (mils Avar, this meeting of citizens records its inflexible determination to continue to a victorious end the struggle in maintenance of those ideals of liberty and justice which are the common and sacred cause of the Allies.”

The Mayor, in moving the motion, read a letter from the Prime Minister in respect to same. The Mayor emphasised the necessity for prosecuting the war to a successful issue, and urged renewed efforts on behalf of all true patriots. The motion was seconded by Mr A. J, Kellow (secretary of the local Patriotic Society), and was carried unanimously. The Borough Band Avas in attendance, and played selections and upon tin* motion being carried, struck up the National Anthem. The .Mayor thanked the Band for their attendance and participation in the I unction. Special services were also held in All Saints’ Church. NEW ZEALAND’S INFLEXIBLE DETERMINATION, The following message has been dispatched to London by the Prime Minister, and will be read at the patriotic demonstration which avus held at Cuildhall yesterday:— The second anniversary of the declaration of war reveals to the world the British Empire welded

together more (irmly than ever hy the tremendous effort which she and her gallant Allies are puffing forth for liberty and freedom. We shall unswervingly pursue this great struggle to a victorious end, confident in the justice and righteousness of the cause

for which we have taken up arms. The foul atrocities perpetrated hy the Hermans against humanity and the law of nations, as disclosed hy the report of the Belgian Commission, and especially hy recent events, brand for all time the Herman nation with shame and dishonour. Those re-

sponsible for such crimes cannot he allowed to go unpunished. The sky is now becoming (dearer. and final victory is assured; but great sacrifices have yet to be made. Xew Zealand affirms with redoubled determination her steadfast resolve that the lives of her sons laid down in defence

of our national heritage shall not

have been sacrificed in vain. We are at one with the whole Empire in our indexible purpose to crush for ever the menace of despotic militarism which is threatening the very basis and ideals of civilisation. (Signed) W. E. MASSEY.