‘‘LITTLE BELGIUM.”

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 41, 5 October 1914, Page 6

‘‘LITTLE BELGIUM.”

AN IMMORTAL NATION.

Melbourne, September 25

At a luncheon given to-day to a gathering of i representative men, Mr Fisher, in proposing tlie toast of “The Forces in the .Field,” said that the British nation had not been the aggressors in the presenh.war; it had not been seeking territory ; it had not been seeking to impose, conditions on other nations. At present the forces in the field op the , side of justice and right were, Britain, France, Russia, and little Belgium. A .Voice: Three cheers for little Belgium.

•The cheers were lustily igiven, Mr Fisher said he was glad.,the.company had been asked to cheer “little Belgium.” It would up logger be “little” in the history of the world, .(Hear,! hear). The people of Bcjgiiipi had ipijnprtalised themselves. Every Australian was proud of the fact.that we in Australia had been able to supply a contingent to help in . this .war. ■There, was no room for. indifferent" ; there was no.room fordoubf. There should be no question of. expense, and in this regai-d he . spoke of , his colleagues.. (Cheers.), Many of our Australian people would rather be dead then bp in the grip of the domination of another people. (Great ctyenrs). “,We would leave ap honorable name behind us,” concluded the Prime. Minister,, “if we perished in trying to maintain it. (Renewed cheering). Mflff this cproperative union of nations—this feeling of fyiendstyip extending between the civilised nations of the world—grow iptO a greater binding tie, and may the ties of a common humanity*, spring into a frfpndgtyip long and lasting, so that ultimately the peace of the world shall he preserved.” (Prolonged cheers.)