A NATION OF HEROES.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 December 1916, Page 10

A NATION OF HEROES.

MR. LLOYD GEORGE ON NEW MEANING OF COURAGE. j Mr. Lloyd George, speaking at a presentation at 11, Downing Street, recently, referred to the war. He said: "There are so many heroes in this conflict that it is almost impossible in despatches to enumerate them. They have given courage a new meaning. It means something more than it ever meant before. ' "We knew that among us we had a man here and a man there who had a heart of gold, who was capable of daring and enterprise and had valor firing his soul; but we never knew that we had millions of them spread all over the land, in the highest and humblest homes. That is the revelation of the war—(applause)—a treasure, an inexhaustible iron sure, hidden in the hearts of the humblest men, of patriotism, consecration, courage, devotion, exalted attachment to ideals, readiness to sacrifice for great purposes. We never knew it. It g.vos a new pride to humanity. It gives a new pride in our land that has produced so many myriads of heroes. (Applause). "We thought these qualities were the qualities of the great, the choice and the select. They are all great; they are all "ciret- It has turned out a nation of heroes! (Applause). "We can only emerge triumphant out of this conflict," he added, "or better ;:ot emerge at all. It is not merely that the honor of our native land is at stake; it is that the future of humanity is trembling in the balance. It is that ii-deed that made those gallant boys leave their homes and. face tho terror of tho devil. We must see that the reward of their sacrifice shall bo found in a victory that will free humanity which has been like a black cloud hanging over it for a generation in the past." (Applause).