Mr W. Allen, M.P., on the War.

Te Aroha News, Volume XVI, Issue 22209, 6 March 1900, Page 3

Mr W. Allen, M.P., on the War.

Mn W. Allen, MJ?., was among the guests'at the distribution of prizes and annual supper in connection with the •sth Battalion South Wales Borderers at Welshpool, on Tuesday evening, 9th Jan uary. The chair was occupied by Lieut. Col. B. Pryce- Jones, M.P., member for ■ * the Montgomeryshire Boroughs. Responding to the toast of “The Visitors,” Mr Allen said—Chairman and Oentlemep,—Now. you have asked me Xto-night £5 respond to the toast of the ' Imperial Yeomanry. I think the raising .of-this force will mark an era in the history of the country. For years now we have been at peace, or practically at peaeS*. and the wars in which we have been engaged have been against uncivilized peoples. We are now fighting a civilized-people; we are fighting people v armed with weapons as good as our own ; we arc fighting with people that are brave, people that are willing to die for a mistaken idea of what is right for their

country; and in this hour of England’s need, when the very Empire is at stake, when future of our nation depends upon us crushing the Boers in Africa and establishing some form of rule through the length and breadth or that land over which the English flag flies supreme, I believe that it is the duty of every Englishman, that it is the duty of every Briton, of every patriot, of everyone who loves, as you and I do, our Queen, who has so long ruled with glory over this country, to volunteer, if he is

able, for the service of his fatherland—to go to the front and fight against his country’s foes. (Loud and prolonged applause.) The Imperial Yeomany have been raised for this purpose, and men in every position and in every rank in life have thrown aside personal and family • ties to go and fight against the enemies of our nation, and I believe such a scene as the enlistment of the Yeomanry which W- has taken place in all our great towns could i&b have been rivalled —could not have been approached —in any oth< r country in Europe. The present must make some mark upon the future. The great Anglo-Saxon races, the English and the American (applause) —■ I firmly believe are to be the great dominant races of the world—(hear, hear)— and I cannot look at the map of the world without seeing that the destiny of "he Anglo-Saxon race is written there by • ]O . p en of Omnipotence. It is written .m the map of India with its ancient civilization and vast population, and our u destiny there is to civilize and educate the Hindoo people up to a standard when they will be able fitly to govern themselves. It is written on the map of Australia, it is written on the map < f Oaiujda, it is written on the map of New ZeaiWi'.d, and in each case the destiny of England is to raise up, free, self-govern - mg peoples who will carry on our great traditions of freedom to succeeding gnerations. (Hear, hear, and applause). Bit this great end can only be achieved by sacrifices at the present moment, and J. would ask every Englishman if he is * prepared for any paltry reasons tc risk all j the great work that has been built up hv ■ • his forefathers I would ask if he is willing to risk the work of Cromwell, of ’Wellington, and of Pitt, and I believe that when these questions are put to a ; ■ true Briton he will throw aside tho per- ( sonal interest, family ties, and monetary j considerations, and volunteer, as he ought, to do his best for bis country. 1 - Gentlemen, I thank you on 1 oehalf of myself and of those who have joined the Montgomeryshire Imperial Yeomanry for the kind way in which you have drunk our healths, and before sitting down I think I ought to say one word in praise of the untiring work and the selfsacrificing devotion and great enprgy that has been shown by Sir Watkin Williams- , Wynn—(applause)—in raising the regiment. When we go to the front, and I hope it will not be very long—(cheers)— | we shall be actuated to do all that is in our power against the enemy by the knowledge that Sir Watkin is at home locking to the Montgomeryshire Yeo- 1 manry to do their duty, I believe that v. we shall not be found wanting. (Loud and prolonged cheering).