The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6, 1915. THE CALL OF THE EMPIRE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 178, 6 January 1915, Page 4

The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6, 1915. THE CALL OF THE EMPIRE.

In no part of the British Dominions has there been such a generous and ready response to the call for men to aid the Imperial forces in their gigantic task of breaking the military power of Germany as in New Zealand. Our people are so far distant from the scene of armed conflict that it ,is hardly possible for them to realise their immediate connection with both the cause and the effect of the war. There is only one main point to be considered. The Motherland is engaged in a life and deatli struggle for existence, and her fate must necessarily be that of the Dominions. If Germany should be victorious, then the overseas Dominions would fall an easy prey to the conqueror. By this time the scope and nature of Germany's ambition should be thoroughly well known, and thia knowledge should of itself alone suffice to act as a compelling power over every citizen of the Empire able to bear arms to come forward and take his share in the work of defeating the Kaiser's armed hosts. There should be 110 need for arousing the manhood of New Zealand and the other Dominions to an adequate pitch of patriotism, for in helping the Motherland they are protecting their own country from the poller of a tyrant whose iron heel would crush the vanquished foe, and squeeze the lands of conquest of all that the people prize and cherish—even their liberty,; Offers of service with the Allies should not, however, be influenced by such a factor as fear of what blight happen in a contingency that is beyond all probability of eventuating. The real spirit that should be exhibited is that of true manhood, the upholding of a righteous cause, and the effort to bring about a lasting peace. Regarded in that way, military service becomes a privilege that all should be eager to embrace, and a duty that none should desire to shirk. What is wanted is more of the spirit of that young officer who, in a letter he wrote from the front, said: "It's a great war, whatever. Isn't it luck for mc to have been born so as I'd be just the right age, and just in the right place?" Already New Zealand has contributed 12,400 men, including those sent to Samoa, but it .is recognised that the great task of the Allies will not really commence until about April next, and if the terrible conflict is to be brought to a close quickly, that worthy object can only be attained by placing in the field every man in the Empire who is fit to hear arms, and lias received a training which will enable him to stand shoulder to shoulder with the flower of the Allies' troops. Tile Defence Department of New Zealand has at last been aroused to a due sense of its responsibilities, and the Minister (Hon. J. Allen) has recently stated that arrangements have been made to carry 011 a system of recruiting on a more definite plan than hitherto. It is now understood that flie Expeditionary Forces must be maintained at their full strength. Te order to do this it is necessary for 15 per cent, of infantry, II) per cent, of momiieds, with drafts in an easier proportion for oilier arms of the service, to come forward regularly, involving the enlistment of ISOO ollieers and men every two months, to receive four months' training before leaving the Dominion. It is intended to draw 000 men from Samoa to accompany the fourth reinforcement, the remainder of that, garrison being reserved for the fifth reinforcement, which will be called for about the middle of February, and thereafter a reinforcement will be made 1111 everv two months. The svstem of

giving in nam'-, so thai, men may tie called upon when required is ef great advantage, and should meet v. ith ready acei'p!ante. Can anyone imagin- a more glorious career, or a greater privilege than that which the Empire is now olFeriiej to its young mm? Tt is not for tlie purpn-e <if vainglory or cmnucst that the K:t,j.:r.. ■ ■ jit r. but- in a righteous •••"> ••• i:i whit'': ::-» r is th- main factor. To fr'l'e pav; In -''Trh a str"";'_de. and to

gv v " : ' 1 1 " : ■ ' \ iiP'Vr:!. set-. ' Ping' in be pnia- 1 (lef t.llis Uoblc I '• t i "■ ' -.v'! '-.V "... : of the oration. Australia i: didm- her full sluing ami so are Canada and India, -while

Britain will not rctt need be, every able-bodied, mail iiaa joined the colors. The Empire is at death-grips with the disturber of the world's peace, and it behoves all its sons to rally round the (lag. The loss will not lie with those who go, but with those who stay away. The only men for whom any pity or sympathy may be felt are those who are ardently eager to enlist, but are rejected as physically u.; it. For the credit of the Dominion and the honor of its manhood the call of the Kmpire should be taken up in earnest, and so long as tlie need, exists the ilow of recruits should be equal to, if not in excess of, the demand. It will be seen by recent cables that Britain has entered on t!ie gigantic task of raising another million men, and there is already some talk of compulsory means for dealing with the shirkers. When the very existence of the Empire is at stake, nothing hut a united front will suffice. The Dominions will, we aVe eonlident, not be ■mind wanting in this, the hour of need.