The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER MONDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1916. THE CALL TO ARMS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIV, Issue 52, 7 February 1916, Page 4

The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER MONDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1916. THE CALL TO ARMS.

Another batch of young recruits left Taranaki this morning in splendid spirit to take their places as part of the Thirteenth Reinforcements, and to do their manifest duty to their country. Many more men will yet he wanted before the great conflict ends, and to systematically carry out the work of recruiting the Government has set up a Board, which is launching a new scheme under which the manhood of New Zealand of military age is to receive a personal appeal to come forward in defence of New Zealand and the Empire. Such an appeal will receive from the Press of the country the warmest support it is possible to give, for New Zealand’s newspapers have one and all realised how vitally necessary it is that the country shall fulfil its obligations to supply the drafts of men Lord Kitchener asks for. It is impossible to know exactly what is in front of us, but one thing is certain, and we may rely upon it that with the Spring in- Europe the Allies must make their great effort to crush the Hun menace. That we shall see the thing through to a successful issue is undoubted, even ii the old men and young boys have to lake up their places in the lighting line, though there should be need for this if ail those who are honestly able to oiler themselves —and whose plain duty it is to offer themselves—-do so. At this most critical time in the Empire’s history, it is tor our young men to say what part they are going to play in this great struggle for liberty and justice. Men must come forward I to lake the places of the fallen and the j wounded. It has been argued that a .young country like this cannot afiord s'

to let her host blood go but the supreme sacrifice has become necessary if our land i.s to remain a land of free men and women. Speaking the other day at Rangiora. Mr L. M, 1 it t. M.P., commenting upon the fact of a young man .vho had failed

in his duty to his country and nation giving the excuse that he would as soon live under German as British rule, drew a vivid picture of Prussian

serfdom win, h would be the Jut of people conquered by that declared that whilst he enjoyed life; and did not desire to die just yet } he would rathei sutler death a dozen times lium live under Prussian rule. Referring to the enemies’ frightfulness in their conduct of the war. is there not enough in all this to stir the lighting blood of the true Britisher, wllieh would move him to a manifestation of anything like manhood. Addressing him self to parents, Mr Isitt regretted that there were many who were keeping their sons ironi enlisting as they wished to do. lie counselled such people not to do then sons an irreparable and life-long in- | jury by preventing them from serving their country in her time oi need. He had no sympathy with the conscription of wealth advocated in that foolish Wellington manifesto, but he believed that it was the duty of the Government to tax incomes iii| such a manner as to compel all to share the financial burden of the war. in conclusion ( Mr Isitt made an earnest and impressive appeal to all young men to do their duty to their God, to their country and to their nation in the great crisis. That is exactly, the right note. In honour the young men of New Zealand cannot shut their ears to the call to arms. j