The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATE THE EGMONT SETTLER. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1914. LOYAL NEW ZEALANDERS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 49, 14 October 1914, Page 4

The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATE THE EGMONT SETTLER. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1914. LOYAL NEW ZEALANDERS.

An important meeting of the N,ew Zealand Association was field at the Westminster Palace Hotel, London, oni August 14th, to consider what steps' should he taken by New Zealanders in London to assist the Empire. Communications to hand by tho English' mail reaching Stratford this morning show that it was one of tho most successful and enthusiastic gatherings ever held by tho New Zealand colony, in London. The New Zealand High Commissioner (the Hon. Thomas Mac-' kenzie), was in tho chair and spoke in true Imperialistic strain. At his suggestion an organisation was formed to be known as “Tho Now Zealand 1 War Contingent Association,” about’ which we have already heard by cable, j In the course of his remarks Mr Mackenzie emphasised the fact that the war was not of Britain’s seeking. Hej said Europe had been contented and) prosperous—with one exception as regards contentedness—and that exception had caused the whole of the Continent to bo involved in one of the most fearful wars that had darkened or would darken the pages of history. Britain’s position was clear when the treaty affecting Belgium was violated, and never for* one moment did the Government of tho country hesitate as to its clear lino of duty. Other notable Now Zealanders also spoke, and Lord Islington, the newly-appointed Undersecretary of State for tho Colonies, said it was a pleasure once more to be addressing a meeting of New Zealanders, especially as he had vivid and happy recollections of his residence in their country. They were met to take their part at a time of great Imperial emergency, and New Zealand, along with the rest of the Empire, had come forward, as those who knew New Zealand knew it would, promptly, and with all the efficient activity at their disposal to grant a share of assistance to tho Empire. They were there for the practical purpose of putting into operation at as early a date as possible the machinery which would he found efficient for looking after their contingents when they reached Britain’s shores to take part in the campaign. The Association in the meantime, he thought, would perform very useful work. It was desired that every member of each contingent on reaching London should feel that there was a body there whose sole and undivided attention was to he devoted to their best interests. That was the object of the organisation. It would elaborate itself in many most useful channels as it came into action. It would be a repository for funds and would distribute them, and it would lie a form of ready communication between tlic distant and anxious relatives in Now Zealand and those at tho front. As time went on this organisation would he found to ho a great relief to overworked Government departments.