The Daily News. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1915. THE KING'S ACCIDENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 November 1915, Page 4

The Daily News. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1915. THE KING'S ACCIDENT.

At any time an accident to our Sovereign would call forth universal regret throughout the Empire, hut to receive news of such a misfortune at a period like the present, when oar loyalty and patriotism are at their higsest tension, cannot fail to evoke the deepest sympathy and the most ardent hopes, for a speedy recovery. It was one of those unfortunate accidents that arise from demonstrations of fervent and well-intentioned loyalty to a popular monarch. There is little doubt that the cheering of the troops, and high spirited manifestations of appreciation of his courage in braving the dangers of the war zone, caused the horse his Majesty was riding to rear and throw its august rider. The occurrence must have had a most thrilling effect on the beholders, whose anxiety for the consequences could not fail to be painfully intense. That King George gave a further proof of his calm courage in bearing up bravely under the shock is but another proof that he possesses those splendid characteristics which endear him to his people. The scene is one that will not readily be forgotten by those present. One moment the wild cheers of 'tile soldiers are making the air ring with their expression of joy. and the next a hushed silence mingled with fear, and the waiting thousands who were ready with their joyful acclamations of greeting as the King returned were shocked into awed dumbness by the news of (he accident. Fortunately. tile subsequent news which is published thin morning, is us reassuring

as could be wished. It 13 not known what injuries were sustained, but we are led to 'believe that tliey were not of a serious nature, and there will be a profound sigh tff relief throughout the Empire 011 learning that the latest bulletin is of so favorable a nature. The hearts of the nation will go out to their revered Sovereign and the members of the Royal Family in the deepest sympathy under this unfortunate and their one desire will be for his speedy and complete recovery. We are profoundly moved at the but we are deeply grateful that its consequences were not more serious. At such a time as the present, above all others, we need the head of tile State, and any trouble or mischance thati affects the King is felt by his people personally and collectively. It is this bond which ha 6 made the Empire what it is to-day, and has caused men in thousands from all parts to rally round the flag and fight for King and Country.

o( completion because their comrades at home turn a deaf ear to the call for more men. The consequence is that a crisis concerning the voluntary system is fast approaching, and the decision as to whether it will survive or of necessity be forced to give way to compulsory service rests with the manhood of Britain and the Dominions. Under these circumstances it is gratifying to learn that in the Homeland, Lord Derby's strenuous efforts to prolong the existence of the voluntary system are meeting with success, or as the cable expresses it, have resulted in a boom. It is to be hoped that the great efforts now being made in New Zealand and Australia will be productive of equal, if not greater success. At the same time it is humiliating for the leaders of the country to have to use their utmost efforts to stir up the laggards to a proper sense of their duty. At the recruiting rally held in the Wellington Town Hall on Saturday night, attended by the Premier, Sir Joseph Ward, Mr. Myers, and other leading politicians, a resolution was passed that recruiting be energetically and systematically carried out, and the meeting pledged itself to do all possible to answer every call. Mr. Massey warned the young men who held back that they will never be able to hold up their heads in the future, and Sir Joseph Ward imposed on the women of New Zealand s the extreme duty of disowning the men who would not do their duty. Addressing the associated sports clubs, Captain Donald Simpson put ttie matter very plainly when he said that the excuses which lie had heard, when travelling over a large part of the Dominion, as to why young men had not yet offered their services, did not amount to reasons. Ignorance and indifference seemd to be at the root of the trouble — ignorance of the seriousness of the war, and indifference because they had been told we were sure to win the war. "We can only win the war," he said, "with men, more men, fighting men. Your Christmas gifts for the troops, and your expressions of patriotism are all very well, but they won't push the Turks off Gallipoli, and they won't beat the Germans. That is the work for men, trained and armed." These are sentiments that every man who has not yet joined the forces should take seriously to heart, otherwise there is nothing for it but conscription. It by no means follows that a large proportion of our young men are shirkers. The number of the rejected as medically unfit is far larger than it should be, and many of those who are classed as shirkers are as patriotic a 8 our Gallipoli heroes, but are turned down by the examining doctors. In this connection there is a feeling abroad that a fair proportion of these rejects would, if allowed to serve, prove worthy and effective fighting units. There are cases of this sort that are known locally where slight imperfections that have never been a bar to strenuous athletics —not even noticed — yet have sufficed to turn an ardent and enthusiastic recruit into a dismayed and sorrowful citizen, who is most likely jibed at as a shirker. Red tape rules responsible for such a fiasco should be torn to shreds and replaced with commonsense discretion. There is little doubt that if the Defence Department adopted the plan of issuing a distinctive ribbon or badge, to all those who were actually unfit for service it would not only save them having to run the gauntlet of public opinion with its mortifying stigma, but it would bring the real shirkers and laggards into prominence, and they would deserve the pillorying they would undoubtedly receive. So acute is the crisis at the present time, and will be for some period yet, that it behoves every man who can possibly do so to volunteer for service. They ought not to wait to lie asked, for it is a duty that is as plain as it can be. Probably the war census papers will have due effect in this direction, but the need is so urgent that there is no ti.me for delay. Every man worthy of the name should prove his manhood by obeying the <:; ill of his country, and j helping to avenge the terrible outrages perpetrated by our barbaric foes.