THE NATION'S NEED

Taranaki Daily News, 19 October 1915, Page 4

THE NATION'S NEED

A CALL TO ARMS. PRIME MINISTER'S SPIRITED APPEAL TO THE MANHOOD OF THE DOMINION. By AiioeUtion. ' Wellington, Last Night. The Prime Minister to-day issued the following appeal to men of military age throughout the Dominion:— "Wo are now entering upon -the most critical period of the war, when each and every part of the Empire must make a special effort to send men and muni- r tions to the front. Field-Marshal Lord Kitchener has stated, in no uncertain terms, that he wants both of these essentials, arid with a sufficient number of the one and an adequate quantity of the other, the Allies will hold the war "in the hollow of their hands." New Zealand has done nobly. Up to the present her sons have enlisted as soldiers of the King by tens of thousands, and when tested on the battlefield they have, by their splendid gallantry and achievements, already created an imperishable record of bravery, from the hillsides of Gallipoli and from the trenches where gallant men are fighting for the 'honor and prestige of our race. "An appeal has now come to their comrades who are still in New Zealand with such force that few of British blood will be able to resist. The call has come from the leaders of the Empire, so clear and so strong, and so persistent, that no man worthy of the name can hear it unmoved. "I know that the appeal is not being made in vain. T know the response will be worthy of the manhood of this country, but let me say personally to every man of military age, whose responsibilities to dependents do not compel him to remain in the Dominion, that it is his bounden duty, in justice to his country, in justice to his fellow New Zealanders who have died fighting for honor and glory, and whoso hones rest to-day in foreign soil, nay, in justice to himself as a citizen of the Empire, to respond in a courageous and patriotic spirit to the urgent message from our kith and kin across the seas, and to say to the military authorities of the Dominion, in words familiar, but expressive, "Here am I! Send me! Send me!" 1