THE Pukekohe and Waiuku Times PUBLISHED MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS AND FRIDAYS. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1915. LIVING UP TO TRADITIONS.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 107, 12 November 1915, Page 2

THE Pukekohe and Waiuku Times

PUBLISHED MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS AND FRIDAYS.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1915. LIVING UP TO TRADITIONS.

The Official Organ of : The Franklin County Council. The Pukekohe Borough Council. The Tuabau Town Board. The Karaka Road Board. The Pokeno Road Board. The Wairoa Road Board. The Papakura Town Board. The Waikato River Board. The Mercer Town Board.

"We nothing extenuate, nor tet down auaht in malice."

"We have great traditions, but a nation does not rxist on traditions alone. Thank God we have living examples ot all the qualities that have built up and sustained our Empire. . Let ub be worthy of Ihem and, endure to tha end." With these soul-stirring words the Prime Minister of England last Week concluded one ot tie great'st speeches ever delivered in the historic House ot Commons. Mr Asquith's speech was just the thing reeded at the present moment. When speaking of the Grand Fleet, Mr • Asquith s?i j the figures illustrating tbe actual work done by tbe Navy during the past fifteen months were more eloquent than columns of rhetoric, and he could conceive ro better medicine for those who affected to be downhearted or doubtful that tbe Empire was playng its part in the greatest struggle in history. And so say we of Mr Asquith's speech; it is just the tonic needed by some people. Mr Asquith was particularly plain-spoken and Isir. He did not attempt to hide failures or deny di.-appointment?, but he showed unmistakably that the British nation has played a part of which she need not be ashamed. It is only natural, perhap", that New Zealandets should read with a particulalry critical eye that portion of the statement dealing with the Dardanelles campaign. And it ia very cheering to know that tbe blood of New Zealand men has not been shed uselessly and without reason. Mr Asquith hai effectively given the lie to those miserable people who have so persistently reiterated the charge that the Dardanelles campaign was entered upon at the caprice of political busy-bedies and that the advice of military and naval experts was not sought. Such a cruel slander has been exposed, and the parents of New Zealand boys who won death and glory on the rocky steeps of Gallipoli will be able to comfort themselves with the knowledge that their sons played a necessary role io the cause of Empire. Though che tfforts to force the Dardanelles have not si far succeeded, it is, in the language of Mr Asquith, premature to form a jugdment on the operations. If the Allies think it necessary to force their way through to the Sea of Marmora they will undoubtedly do it. But, even it the campaign is abandoned, bss it been in vain? To answer that question the critic must think of what might have happened had ths Turks been free to move where they wished. No Britisher will read with feelings other than of pride Mr Asquith's statement regarding Serbia. Whatever the cost Serbia's independence is to be secured, and the brave I I tie country saved from becoming the "prey of the sinister and nefarious combination."