DECLARATION DAY ANNIVERSARY.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 6 August 1917, Page 4

DECLARATION DAY ANNIVERSARY.

A LARGE PUBLIC MEETING. A very large gathering® of the people of this town and district assembled around the Band Rotunda om Saturday afternoon to record their determination to prosecute the war to a victorious issue. The Municipal Band, under Bandmaster Bryce opened the proceedings with spirited music, after which an apology for inability to be present through severe illness was read from Mr R. W. Smith, M.P. The Mayor said he was sure that the meeting would agree with him in. saying that no apology was necessary from their member, who, he regretted to.say, was confined to 1 his bed in hospital. He was sure the meeting would with him, express its sympahty with Mr Smith, and wish him a speedy recovery.

Continuing. Mr . Arrowsmith said they had been called together in response to a letter from the Prime Minister asking him to convene such a meeting. Although the letter was addressed to him it was meant for everyone individually. After the letter was read by ther Town Clerk, Mr Dinnison, Mr Arrowsmith said it was not his intention to detain them long, because the time at the disposal of many present was limited. It was not necessary for him to urge upon them thA importance of passing resolution that would oe submitted. They were on. the anniversary of the third year of warCould anyone say they were nearer the end than when the war started? Our men at the front, had upheld the honour of this Dominion and of the Empire. He had read that eGneral Robertson had said in an interview that the contest was not confined to a struggle of armed millions, but it was also a test of racial qualities. If the enemy’s army does not crack the nation behind it nJ5y. The Allies, if steadfast and sound-hearted, will compel the Central nations to submit sooner or later. He did not know when the end would come, but that was what he personally believed would happen. When the nation saw that victory was not attainable the people would bring about such a change as would not permit the war to continue. . The Town Clerk then read the following resolution:. .“That, on this third anniversary of the declaration of a righteous war, this meetings of the citizens of Taihape and district records its inflexible determination co continue to a victorious end the struggle in maintenance of those ideals of liberty and justice which are the common and sacred cause of the Allies.”

The Mayor then asked Mr. A. Nathan, Taihape’s first Mayor, to second the resolution. (Applause.) Mr Nathan, in rising to second the resolution, said he would like to express his deep sympathy with those amongst them who had lost their dear ones in this great struggle. There was no such thing as an honourable peace other than that which would be got by our brave men. The enemy set out to conquer the world; if they had reached Paris and had conquered France, they would have seized a vast seaboard, rendering the British Navy of very little use. It was our duty to stand up like men, to save our Empire from slavedom. At this great distance from the battlefields we could not be expected to know very much about the conduct of the war. He thought it would be a calamity to make great changes in the ment of the whole concern; it would be best to throw in their whole sup* port on those who had the experience. He had pleasure in seconding the resolution. On being put by the Mayor the resolution was unanimously and enthusiastically carried, and three very hearty cheers were given for our Allies. The playing of “God Save the King” by the band terminated the proceedings.