TRIBUTE TO THE FALLEN.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 298, 26 May 1915, Page 3

TRIBUTE TO THE FALLEN.

A MEMORABLE fiATITKRIXG AT JELLING TON. speioch by Tim prime MINISTER. , The Church Parade at Newton Park on Sunday, organised by the Patriotic Society in celebration of Empire Day, was (says tlie Dominion) a most im■pressive and inspiring ceremony. There were 1K33 men of all ranks (m parade, inclusive of 172 of the National Reserve, but, exclusive of a number of His Majesty's Veterans, and a large number of buy' scouts. Of civilians there must have been 10,000 present, a big assemblage. Upwards of £7O was collected in the park in aid of the Soldiers' Relief Fund.

THE SUPREME TEST, The Prime Minister said he was very pleased to take part in the great demonstration, a demonstration that was worthy of the occasion. It was an indication that New Zealanders to a man and to a woman were with the Empire in this light,, that they had put all minor things out of mind, anil that with all their minds, and thought, and soul, and strength, and energy, and industry, they would help the Empire to put down ;the foes who would destroy it. They had put their hands to the plough, and there would be no looking back, until in the end victory came to Britain and her Allies. The bravery and endurance of the British was being tested even more severely than it was tested in the wars of old times. The endurance of the soldiers we had sent only a few months since had been tested, and they were all glad to know that the men from the lands on which the Southern Cross shines were as good men as those who fought under Wellington, Marlborough, and all the great captains whose names were enshrined in song and story.

BRAVE HEARTS. "But," he continued, "there is another side to the picture. There are many sad hearts, thousands of sad hearts in New Zealand to-day, but it should be a comfort for the relatives to know that everything possible is being done for the safety and comfort of the wounded. For those who have lost their boys, bovs vi'ho will never see their country again, there is comfort in the knowledge tint they have died the best of all deaths. 1 had a letter the other day from the father of one of the slain. He wrote to ute something like this; T would rather be the father of a son who has done his duty to his country, even if he has died doing it, than be tlie father of a son who has shirked his diity to his country.' (Applause.) That is the spirit—(applause)—soldiers of the King and fellow citizens, that is the spirit of Mir people to-day. That is the spirit of the words we heard a few minutes ago when Mr. Hunt was speaking. It is a magnificent thing to see proof of this spirit in the men and women, tlif fathers and mothers of boys who are willing to make any sacrifice, however great, in defence of the honour of our race, its glory, and its pride. (Applause.)

THE FIERY CROSS. "In olden times the fiery cross wa's sent round to call the Highland clans t# battle. The fiery cross has been sent round the whole British Empire, and the whole British Empire,, and the manhood of the Empire are donning their uniforms, and taking up their weapons and going out to fight as soldiers of the King. In our own country what has happened? What have we seen? From the bush clearing, from the sheep station, from the gumfields, the mining centres, from the office of the professional man and the merchant, from the waterfront, men of all, ranks and all classes have come, eager and willing to do their duty. But more men are wanted, and I appeal to the manhood of this country. More are needed to take places of those who have fallen and. to increase the strength of the army, and so ensure victory and bring tliia awful waj- to a speedy conclusion. Men are wanted for other reasons — to strike a blow on account of tlie outrages with which the Pros* has. made us familiar in the last few weeks, the drowning of helpless women and children, the poisoning of wells and watercourses, the bombardment of defenceless towns, crimes such as we would not have believed even savages could be guilty. 'Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord,' and I have not any doubt that He will repay, but it is still our duty as citizens of peace-loving I countries to see that these unspeakable [ outrages, some of whieh can only be hinted at, are made impossible for ail time. Men are wanted because we realise that we. our out against a cruel and unscrupulous foe, Against an enemy whose word is as nothing, whose written pledge is as nothing, only to be observed so long as it suits them to do so, an enemy to whom human life and national honour is as nothing when opposed to German ambition or German supremacy.

DOING OUR FULL DUTY. j "Let me say that it is a •proud thought to me that this little country is doing so well, doing its full duty to the Empire. Let me tell you further that as wo have commenced so we intend to go on, doing everything we possibly can to bring about a speedy end to the war, doing all we can to ensure, that peace—not peace with dishonour, but pence with honour—conies to Britain and the nations allied with her." (Applause.)