TO HELP BRITAIN.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 153, 4 December 1914, Page 4

TO HELP BRITAIN.

A CALL TO THE DOMINIONS. NEW ZEALAND WILL DO ITS DUTY. PRIME 'MINISTER'S . INSPIRITING APPEAL. By Telegraph.—Per Press Aa<>oc<ul<on. < Auckland, Last NigKifc The responsibility of New Zealand.".to place its resources of men and material at the disposal of Earl Kitchener, in order to bring the war to an early t«mination, was emphasised this evening by the Prime Minister, in commenting upon the present position in Europe. He declared that tho Dominion must give all the help within its power, and'give that helj) promptly. Messages from London during the' past few days show that Great Britain is making a supreme effort to put a maximum force into the field by the spring, a few months hence, and the Mother Country, looks to the Do- . minions overseas for all possible aid. , Germany'has a knowledge of Britain's resolution, and, therefore, the Kaiser i* massing huge forces in tlie western theatre. The German attack is specially vigorous against the British. Germany's ' desperate ambition is to roll up tho British armies, and so injure the morale of the French. Thus the Germans hope to influence the neutral countries to favor the side of might. "Who doubts," asked . ' Mr. Massey, "that Britain's expectation of adequate help from the Dominions will be properly fulfilled? Britain expects that every Dominion will do its duty-to the Empire, and I am sure that New Zealand will not be left lagging. I am not at all putting this country's, patriotism in front of the patriotism of any sister State, but it so happened that New Zealand was tho first to offer an Expeditionary Force, and by the splendid ; aid of Australia's navy, New Zealand had a body of 1409 troops en route for Samoa only eight days after the declaration of war between Great Britain and Germany. New Zealand's prompt and hearty recognition of the Empire's, need of loyal aid was warmly praised in Can-. Ada, where the JPtceb used New Xea'and'a example to quicken the preparations for similar enterprise in that big Dominion. Equally as 'Prime Minister and as a citizen of New Zealand, I am proud of thi« country's eagerness to help tho Motherland in preservation of the common heritage by gifts of men and money and terial. They make a bright page for : - Zealand in the Empire's history, i. there are other pagoß to come. The •Minister of Defence (the Hon. tfame# Allen) has stated that heavy reinforce- ' ments will be sent to Europe, and I have every confidence that volunteering, will , continue to exceed the number of places to be filled. As I have already said at ; Dunedin, the number of men offering , themselves at present surpasses tao , quota required, and this great self-sacri- . ficing spirit of service assures the Mother Country that Now Zealand's manhood will-be equal to any call. The position of ' the Allies is strbng to-day, and factors all point to further strengthening, but the British plan of q'uick concentration of strength needs the vigorous help of all members of the Imperial family. It is a plan to hasten tho end of the war, and thus correspondingly to reduce the f cost to the Allies, who must Germany. Therefore, New ; Zealand's liberality with men and material must not slacken.' Self-interest alone, apart ' from that Imperial patriotic sentiment, which has inspired the wholo public, should indute New Zealand to give all possible help to Great Britain, which has so long guarded the eras, and enabled the Dominions to have a prosperous place in the world system of trade and commerce. This is a time when ' effective patriotism is the best possible policy from every viewpoint. This is the time when all classes recognise that all strengths have to bo one strength to secure -and maintain that placd, which British courage, endurance, and perseverance liave won in the world, to the advanfage of the whole world, as well as to all Britain's parties, whieh differ on matters of domestic policy, but join with the object of defeating the Empire's challengers by giving the Mother ' Country all the help within their power, and giving that help promptly." •£! OUR BRAVE ALLIES. HELP FOB THE BELGIANS. Auckland, Last Night. Speaking at the departure of a special train for Wellington with clothing for the Belgians, the Prime Minister said the whole Dominion had risen splendidly to the occasion, and he thought.the - provincial district of Auckland had done particularly well in rendering assistance to our brave Allies, the Belgians. A proud boast in olden times was, "I am a Roman citizen." He thought our boast to-day should be, " I am proud to be a citizen of the British Empire." (Applause.) New Zealand was prompt to send troops to the front, and her soldiers were the first to set foot on conquered German territory. ( Applause. > ! She was now first, and Auckland deserved credit for sending a train-load of clothing away for our needy friends, the •Belgians. We had not gone to war for fun, but because we conceived it to be our duty, and we would continue until German despotism and "Kaiserism" were things of the past. He was sure, the, uniquo occasion would be remembered for scores of years to come, (Applause.) Sir Joseph Ward said it was'a grand thing to see a New Zealand-made engine drawing a train fully equipped with clothing for the suffering Belgians, and he was pleased to endorse the sentiments expressed by the Prime 'Minister. plause.), ,