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RECRUITING MEETING.

ADDRESS BY MR HORNSBY, M.P. A large crowd assembled in front of the Post Office last evening to hear Mr J. T. M. Hornsby, member for W airarupa, deliver a recruiting ■speech. Mr W. V. Kirkwood, in briefly introducing the speaker, said that Mr Hornsby was more conversant with patriotic matters than anybody else in New Zealand. The member for Wairarapa was delivering the speech that night at the invitation of the Stratford Home Defence Corps in con--1 junction with himself as honorary recruiting officer for the Stratford district. “The Defence Department i wants 4000 men to enlist by 16th ,of this month,” he said, “and we may take it for granted that this wish will be urgently answered. The 10th Rein- . forcemeats go into camp at the end of ■ this month or early in November, and ’ by that time we wish to see every rank filled. The Stratford district lias supplied more than its quota, nevertheless, we want to do more.” Mr Hornsby, when lie mounted the platform to speak, received a great ovatipn. He said he could remember the words of the song the men sang as they went into battle (“It’s a Long Way to Tipperary”), and it had been a long way, but the way would be still further before the war came to a conclusion. We had made up our minds not to falter but to Conquer, so wo must get there. In order to conquer we must make sacrifices, and those sacrifices would be made. The speaker said lie brought a message from a dear old mother (the pipe band which came up the street as he was speaking reminded him of it), who had given five sons, and three of those had died for their Country. The old lady told him the other day, with her lips white and trembling, that if she had five-more they could all go. That was the spirit that made our race what it is to-day. If the young men had not thought seriously about enlisting, they should, as it was a serious matter. | We should, under all circumstances, honor our Country. There were men in New Zealand at the present time who were eating their hearts yint to go to the front, but who cannot go. In some cases it was for physical reasons, and in others family reasons that made them ineligible. “For God’s sake, young men,” said Mr Hornsby, “make up your minds, and if you have no ties, enlist. Do not let it be said that you will not go. There are hundreds, nay thousands, who are to he deeply deplored because they cannot go. X wish to God I were 20 years younger so that 1 could go. Any young man in the assemblage who can go, let him go. There can be no mhre glorious death than to die for one’s country. What made the war ? We did not seek it and tried to push it i back. Now, we have to be saved from that bloody-minded nation, and if we wish to do that Prussian militarism will have to he wiped off the face of the.'earth. Young men, your friends are calling! you! Many oi those dbar friends, have died at Gallipoli. I hey are calling: “Come over and help'ns,Come over,' come, we need your help. ("Newsi has justi come through that ( Greece, .through her Ring, has played ; us false. ‘ That is distressing news, • hut- we have heard "worse. Young , [men,, again be appealed’ to, and if there; is uo family, physical, or other . .real reason why you are not fighting for'the Colors, apply to thej recruitingofficer and put down your name for service. All the boys who have gone to fight are not dead. “Boys, your friends at the front are calling you.” Mr Hornsby said be had received a let-

fter, written at the front, from a hoy the knew, in which he said Good-bye, his he was afraid he would not see him (the speaker) again. 'lhe letter also - contained the words: “Good bye, once again, hut 1 would father die here .fighting for the Flag 1 love than he living at home—a shirker!” Jhat hoy was wounded and is now in hospital, and could not ffie traced. He (the speaker) was afraid the young fellow had Said his last words to him. Young men, continued Air Hornsby, yon may live to he men of many years, and if you do not answer your country’s call you will always be branded “a shirker.” The speaker said he deprecated newspaper paragraphs relating to young men not enlisting. Many men had reasons for not volunteering. If there was no reason, then they should enlist. Men, do not have it said you shirked your duty. H°" could you face your friends when they return to hear them saying hello Harry! hello Bill! hello Jim! Mby did not you come and help us uhen you were needed. No, men, you could not stand that! Every one of you are needed; the Old Country is calling you. The War Office states that they want more men, and now is your chance. New Zealand officers and men have done well, and if they go in sufficient numbers they will hasten to rid the earth of a nation that resorts to everything devilish. That nation in its devilishness has used everything possible to poison and kill our men, but ' ll the end we will be triumphant. Come, all who can, and put down your names and he ready to fight for the Flag, the Flag which signifies the greatest liberty on God’s earth. What if Germany triumphs? It would he good-bye to all the liberty which we English people enjoy. Mr Hornsby concluded; “Young men. honor yourself by offering your services on the altar of liberty and right. During the whole time Mr Hornsby was speaking the audience listened most attentively, and on concluding the speaker was greeted by cheers on all sides.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/STEP19151008.2.5

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIII, Issue 34, 8 October 1915, Page 3

Word count
Tapeke kupu
1,000

RECRUITING MEETING. Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIII, Issue 34, 8 October 1915, Page 3

RECRUITING MEETING. Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIII, Issue 34, 8 October 1915, Page 3

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