New Plymouth Acts

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 68, 10 August 1914, Page 7

New Plymouth Acts

BNTHUSIASTIC MEETING. 'PATRIOTIC FUND OPENED. Tie announcement that his Worship the Mayor (Mr. J. E. Wilson) would addreSß an open-air meeting on SaturdayBight to decide what part New Plymouth should take in assisting the Empire in the present crisis, caused the streets to be thronged with people soon after 7 p.m. The crowd gathered thickly at the corner of Currie street, where tha band was playing the national anthems of Britain and her allies. To the strains of patriotic music, the crowd followed the band to the post office corner, and in front of and under the balcony of the White Hart Hotel, some thousands of people assembled. His Worship the Mayor was greeted with cheers as he stepped forward to address the gathering, and his speech was punctuated by cheers and patriotic outbursts. His Worship, after the National Anthem had been played, spoke as follows:

"I ja e called you together to-night j because a call has come across the sea— j a call which we as part of the British | Empire cannot disregard. Britain is < at war. Not a war for the purpose of furthering her own interests or acquir- . ing further territory, but a war into J which she has been forced by the ag- j gression of the German nation and m \ the defence of our honor. Her advisers and diplomats have gone to the very extreme in their endeavor to avert war, but it must be clear now to everyone that war could not have been avoided eicept at the price of the honor of our nation. Our obligations to our friends in France and Russia impelled us to the step we have taken. War is dreadful, but I think you will all agree that the dishonor which would have attached to Britain had she stood aloof and refused to recognise her obligations would hare been moro dreadful still. Now that Britain is in the thick of things she lias told her dominions across the seas that she will welcome their assistance. As they have done before, sr. Tier dominions are doing again. They have rallied to the flag, and we are proud to feel that thejj- did not wait to be asked —that they offered help before they knew whether it would be wanted or not. That tliere can he only one ending to the war we are all confident. We are confident in the ability of those who will direct our forces both hy land and sea, an<J we are confident that our soldiers' and sailors will not fall below the standard of our traditions. We know that in the end the nations who are opposing the Germans in their desire to dominate Europe are going to win. But no one can say how long this state of war will last, and we must be prepared to take our part in helping the Mother Country. Within a few weeks some thousands of our young men will be going from our shores at the disposal of Great Britain, as an earnest of New Zealand's loyalty. We who stay at home can do our little part to help o;ir Government and to help our fellows who are going away to represent us. Fur that' pnrpo.-c lam opening a fund to be used at the discretion of the Government in making provision of horses and stores and in sotting out our expeditionary force. Now is the time for us to show that there is more in our pride of Empire than only words. Now is the time for us to make some personal sacrifice for our country. T appeal to all of you—and I know I'hat T shall not appeal in vain—to do what yon each can do to help. Everyone can do something according to his means; l)e it much or little it will still be a help. Already several generous gifts have been made, and if the town responds as I expect it wiil do we shall have a substantial contribution to add to the funds being raised all over New Zealand. We must j all earnestly hope that the war will not continue long—that the aggressors will realise that their hopes cannot be realised, and that we may soon see peace restored. We know our quarrel to lie just, we are confident in our leaders and men, and while need is required we are going to stand by the flag." Mr. H. Okey, M.P., then briefly addressed the gathering. He referred to the splendid wave of patriotism which was sweeping over the Dominion just sow. New Plymouth people were not behind in that movement. The Government was doing its best to meet the ■ grave position, and the people of tne j Dominion must lielp in every way they could—the employers by allowing their men to volunteer, and each man striving to help the other. Both sides of the House realised that this was no time for party discord. He hoped that the Prime Minister would soon announce—if he had not already done so—the purchase of large supplies of wheat and flour from Sydney; not. however, to be used in competition with New Zealand merchants as long as they continued to treat the public fairly. The monetary institutions were being given power to issue paper money, and, if accessary, would be given still more power in that direction. He appealed with confidence to the people of New Plymouth and district to do their share to assist each other and the Empire in the hard tim"s to come.

His Worship then moved tlie following resolution:—"That thig meeting of citizens of New Plymouth entirely supports the action of the Government in giving aid to the Motherland in her hour of need, and pledges itself to do *ll in its power to help in the way of money, horses and material. It further expresses the belief that the war is none of Britain's making, being entirely provoked by the enemies of peace, and trusts that now she has been embroiled the British Empire, together with her allies, will strike hard and effectually, and so speedily bring about a period of enduring peace." Mr. W. A. Collis (deputy-Mayor) seconded this, saying that the horror of w;iv was nothing to the dishonor whieh would 'have been Britain's had sac shrunk from the quarrel, not of her own making, hut undertaken to defend th-o weak. I he motion was carried amid eheefi«f; '1 he following resolution, proposed by Mr. T. C. List, and seconded by M>. F. O, ■J. Bellrinjrer. was also carried: "That the following persons be the cilizeiis' committee for Iho purpose of assistim,' the ('overnment by all means in ii~ powiT in any measures Which the Government may consider necessary to he ffl cn in connection with (he defence of (lie kmpire and 1 lie Dominion and for ail purposes relating to the mobilisation, equipment am] despatch of volunteers fiom the Dominion and relief of any necessities which may arise by reason of the war:—His Worship the Mayor, Messrs W. A. Collis (depntv-Jfavor),* \V. F. Brookinjr. .T. Paton, B. Connett. L. A. Nolan, T. C. List, W. J. Penn,' C. Carter. F. 0. J. Bellringer, Revs. A. 11. Colvilc, Dean McKenna, T. H. Roseveare and A. B. Ohappell, with power to add." For some time the crowd thronged the street, singing patriotic songs and waving the flags of Britain and her allies, I and im every way evincing most forcibly ! the fast tlat the war spirit ia abroad.

COMMITTEE MEETS TO-DAY. A meeting of the committee appointed on .Saturday night will be held in the Mayor's room at the Town Hall at 3 p.m. to-day. All members are asked to attend. MEETING OF LADIES. There was a very large attendance of ladies at a meeting on Saturday convened by the Mayoress (Mrs J. E. Wilson), to consider what steps should be taken to provide necessaries and comforts for the expeditionary force, on the lines suggested by Lady Liverpool, the Council Chain Iters being tilled to overflowing.

After the National Antliom. Mrs Wilson outlined tin- objects of the meeting, and ref-rrcd to the honor which all fell, at being able to help in the national work. She asked for the organisation of committees-for managing the details of the movement. A motion that all present should contribute Is each towards buying materials was carried by acclamation. Miss Grant, of the Gil,-' High School, stated that the girls were willing to work an hour after school hours to help with the work. Mrs Colvile stated that the Ladies' Junior Guild had offered assistance, i and simitar offers were made on Ualualf | of the Victoria Leiague and the St. Anj dTcw's Ladies' Guild, j MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE, i The following management committee ] was elected:—Mesdames A. Crooke, W. i Ambury. G. Blanchard,.. G. W. Browne, j A. 11. Colvile, Cowling, E. Dockrill, 0. 'F. Foote, F. Messenger, J. Paton, F. Wehster, Miss Grant and the Mayoress. Any of these ladies will be glad to receive donations of money or material. Collection boxes will he placed in Miss Hamerton's shop and at Mr. C. 11. Drew's, Devon street. THE PATRIOTIC FUND.

The following donations to.the patriotic fund have already been made:

£ s. d. Taranaki Jockey Club 105 0 0 Burgess, Fraser and Co 100 0 0 Newton King 100 0 0 Taranaki Herald and Budget 50 0 0 New Plymouth Fire Brigade men 50 0 0 Newton King's Now Ply-

mouth staff 50 0 0 Weston and Weston 10 10 0 W. C. Weston 10 10 0 R. C-. Hughes 5 0 0 At Saturday night's meeting Major F. W. Sandford announced that the Yogeltown Boy Scouts had saved £lO for a "trek" at Christmas, but had now asked him to place it at the disposal of the Patriotic Fund Committee. THE EXPEDITIONARY FORCE.

The officers of the Defence Department arrived from Hawera on Saturday, and are now installed in the Coronation Hall, engaged in making arrangements for the despatch of the, Taranaki quota to the expeditionary force. The army service corps men will leave by the "mail train to-day to prepare the camp at Palberston. to which the forces from here will be despatched probably on Thursday. Arrangements have been made for quartering the . men at the Coronation Hall preparatory to despatch, and for the purpose of examining and equipping them. It is understand that ahout 480 men will leave Taranaki, half infantry and half mounted men. The Department still requires thirty horses of the heavy hack stamp for the. Taranaki men, and anyone who cares to offer them, either free or with a view to purchase, can communicate with the local branch of the Stock Department.

( Mr. H. Okey, M.P., announced during the course of his speech from the balcony of the White Hart Hotel on Saturday night that a contingent of <SOO men was to leave Wellington in three days' time under sealed orders. He stated in conversation with a News representative that probably nine or ten thousand Territorials will be mobilised. VETERANS READY. At the annual meeting of the New Plymouth branch of the Veterans' Association on Saturday it was decided that the members should offer their services for garrison duty, in order to free as many young men as possible. BOY SCOUTS OFFERED.

According to instructions from Scout headquarters the Provincial Commissioner has placed the Taranaki Scouts at the service of the Defence Department. NEW PLYMOUTH GOLF CLUB. The members of the New Plymouth Golf Club have decided to start a suoscription in aid of the patriotic fund. Donations will be accepted by Mr. W. P. Nicoll at his business premises in Brougham street.