DECLARATION DAY.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 August 1915, Page 5

DECLARATION DAY.

1 NEW ZEALAND'S SHARK. MOKE MEN TO GO. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, I.aat Night. In the House to-day, in moving the resolution adopted for the anniversary of the declaration of war, Mr. Masscy said there was no doubt we wore i'aoe to face with a cruel, unscrupulous foe. We now began to realise that we arc not so adequately prepared as we ought to have been, and we also realised that Germany is animated by a deep aiul bitter hatred towards Britain. Germany wanted colonics, she wanted trade, she wanted access to the blue waters, but 6he realised that so long as'Hritain iemained a great Power she raw such' expansion was not possible, and, thinking the time had come to S'-nke a blow, she struck it. lie wait proud to «ay i\w Zealand was taking her share, and he hoped we would yet do more. He proceeded to trace the development of the movement to send our contingent. War was declared on August 1 last year; 011 the 14tli, we sent ihe Samoan contingent of 1410 men; on tlie 16th, our main body of 7,701 men and 73S reinforcements left our shores; in November, 1081 men were, sent; in February, 1712; in April 2261; in .Imu', 2350; while another batch of reinforcements was almost ready to leave. In addition to this, there were a number of New Zealand volunteers who joined the Imperial forces. There was also a Maori contingent of 518, and another contingent in training'. Two stationary hospitals, totally IS7, had also gone, making our total contribution 10,.W0 men, fully trained and equipped. In addition to the land forces, we have sent the Philomel, who: ; e officers and men have dono good work. AH charges were borne by New Zealand. There are no*v 7200 men in camp. The Government had bought KOOO horses, and had sent away the best-equipped hospital ship in the world. A nil!"'-" 1- i-f ucdical officers are ready to go with the next contingent, and we had already sent 170 nurses to the front. With regard to the future, it was proposed to send an additional force of two battalions of 2250 men, and additional reinforcements at the rate of 300 a month. He did not apprehend any difficulty in accomplishing this. Sir Joseph Ward said that he most heartily supported the resolution, because lie recognised it not only expressed the sentiments of the House, but of the people of New Zealand. He was proud of what New Zealand had done, ;;s shown in the details given by rto Premier. He was proud of what had been done to meet n nation which had been preparing for forty years; proud of what had been accomplished by forces which had gone from the sister dominions; and because we are proud wo pay a tribute to those who have shown self-sacrifice, gone to the front, and brought about an'extraordinary evolution in England. Otic of the most pleasing features was the wonderful way the workers had rallied to the call of Mr. Lloyd George when he made clear the shortage of munitions. This loyally lie thought to he one of the greatest factors in breaking down the social and political barriers that previously existed between sections of English society. lie concluded by saying thai he was proud of the fact "that" the House, by the resolution, was sbowipg that, though seas divide

the countries of the Empire, we were ons in heart, >n» la «entiinent, and dotsrMijicd to ate the glory of the Old Land not diminished. The motion wa* then put and carrtad, members rising and singing tho N»ii«ml Anthem, PBOCEEDINGS ELSEWHERE. luvcrcargill, Last Night. Declaration Day w&3 held in very flue weather. Tlu resolution was carried witji cheers ou the. part pf an immenitt crowd. Part of the proceedings wai 4 huge pi'ucesaion of territorials, cadetl, hoy mints, National Reservists, decor* atid mi,tor ears, and bands. A big ili'inim-tration was afterwards held in Hu»by Park, in aid of the Wounded Soldiers' Fund. Pahiatua, Last Night. At the patriotic demonstration thU afternoon at Flagstaff Square there was a very big gathering. Tim town band, military, and fire brigade took part. Speakers included the Mayor, county chairman, military officers, and representative-; of various denominations. The p rocecdings were very enthusiast!;!. At the conclusion, a flag, donated by, the Pahiatua Herald Company, was auctioned and realised nearly £OOO, Suva, August 4. There was a record gathering.at the Town Hall, Suva, to day, on the anniversary of the declaration of war. The Governor was present, and the speakers included Hon. Mr. Scott (president of the Chamber .of. Commerce), Hons. Mafks and Hedstrom, and the Bishop of Polynesia. It was an enthusiastic meeting, Wellington, Last Night. The Town Ilall was packed to-night, when a patriotic gathering was held. The Mayor of Wellington presided, and the mayors of suburban areas were present, as well as the Prime Minister, Sir Joseph Ward, Sir John Findlay, Archbishop Redwood, Bishop Sprott, Rev. l)r. Gibb and leading citizens. The National Reserve paraded in full strength, marching through the city tO' the hall.

A memorial service was held in St. Paul's Pro-Cathedral this evening, the psalms and hymns and anthems being those used in St. Paul's Cathedral, Le/don, at the memorial service for men of Australia and New Zealand, on June loth. The rail of honor of the church, containing about 158 names, was laid on tliu altar. Services of intercession were also held at other city churches, Masterton, Last Night.

At a public gathering to-day, the Declaration Day resolution was carried with enthusiasm, and a sum of £3700 was realised by the sale of flags, etc t in aid of the wounded soldiers' fund. Gisborne, Last Night.

A huge gathering of citizens this afternoon passed the Empire resolution, after stirring patriotic speeches. During tie ceremony offers of machine-guns were made by Messrs R. J. Reynolds, K. 6. Williams and Captaiu Tucker, anjj a collection taken up among the crowd in aid of the machine-gun fund realised £l)2. Ureymouth, Last Night. An enthusiastic demonstration was held in Victoria Park this afternoon. Speeches were delivered by the maypr and local clergy, and appropriate hymns were sung. The patriotic resolution was put and carried amidst the greateat enthusiasm. Wanganui, Last Night. Declaration Day was celebrated with religious and patriotic fervour to-day. Very largely attended church services were held at midday, and in the afternoon the ehildren of local schools assembled ut Queen's Park, where patriotic speeches were made. To-night, at a huge meeting in the drill hall, the resolution of determination to see the war through was passed, and stirring speeches were delivered. Aslilnirton, Last Night. The anniversary of the declaration of war was commemorated in Ashburton by services of intercession in all the churches this morning, and again this evening, and by pnblic meeting, presided over by the mayor, in Baring Square at nooil, when patriotic speeches Were delivered, and the appropriate resolution regarding the continuance of the war was carried.