LECTURE ON THE WAR.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 71, 18 August 1915, Page 2

LECTURE ON THE WAR.

By The Rev. J. Calder. A thoroughly appreciative and fairly large audience listened to a very able lecture on the War, given on Monday evening last in the Premier Hall, Pukekohe, by the Kev. Jasper Cader, of Auckland, the Mayor, Mr H. G. K. Mason, presiding.

The rev. gentleman claimed that the real cause of the war wai Germany's lust for territory, and her intense jealousy of England's successful colonisation. Germany was short of iron, and she desired to acquire the French Congo, a country that was immensely rich in mineral-, especially iro.i ore. The assassination of the Archduke of Austia was only a pretext for starting the war and no one heard anything ot that event now. At the Hague Convention Germany gave her plighted word that she would respect Belgium's neutrality, but how that undertaking was kept his hrarers knew, with the result that England came to the rescup. The lecturer urged that the facts that there had been retreat? on the part of the British, French and Ku-sian troops should not be underestimated, although he felt certain that such had been pre-arranegd by their leaders if necessity required it. General Joffre's plan of campaign had been to so formulate his men as not to allow the advance ot the enemy except in the best way for his (the Allies') troops to receive it. The method of advance thua di I not lay with Germany, but with England and France. The policy of retreat was to save human lives, not to sacrifice life as the Germans had done. At the same time it was evident that none of the allied nations had prior to the outbreak of war a sufficient Bupply ot munitions nn hand, although Germany had been preparing in that way for many years. He regarded the position in Russia as satisfactory, although disappointing, and he thought it only a matter of time before the Russians would reinforce themselves and obtain ammunition. Speaking of the Dardanelles operations, the rev. gentleman said that the .landing troops bad performed a feat that bad been generally regarded as impossible. Further lives had, however, yet to be lost and more and more men were wanted before Constantinople would be reached. Small as New Zealand was the Dominion had done her little bit, and was proud of the deeds ot her "boys,." (Applause). The lecturer concluded with a brief sketch of life in Belgium, to the heroic actions of which country, he said, England and France owed a debt of gratitude that could never be repaid. (Cheers). A vote of thanks to thi lecturer was carried with acclamation, on the motion of Mr A. B. Barter, seconded by Mr K. F. Webster.