"OUR HOUSE IS BURNING."

Taranaki Daily News, 18 January 1917, Page 7

"OUR HOUSE IS BURNING."

ARCHBISHOP KELLY'S APPEAL FOR RECTOJITS. "Our house is burning, and every man who is able to help must take off his coat so as to put out the fire." These words fell from the lips of Archbishop Kelly in an appeal for recruits last . #eek, as reported in the Sydney Morning Herald. The occasion was the opening of the new church hall which has been erected at the Liverpool camp for Roman Catholic soldiers. Addressing the officers and men, the Archbishop said:. "The great struggle in which the nation is engaged can only be terminated, from the Australian standpoint, by you and your comrades. Australia rests all her hopes on her soldiers. The fight is not over. On the other hand, the intensity of the war appears to be on the increase, and it is our desire that the officers and men going from the training camp to the front will have with them in perfection the fighting spirit which sees no danger and fears no disaster. The discipline and the bravery of Australia's sons have-won admiration in the armies of the British Empire. Let me say to you that you will be on the winninj, side in the war if you keep up your courage and never think of giving in—never harbor the ■thought of being beaten It is characteristic of the British soldier that he docs not know when he is beaten. Well, if that blending of stubbornness and determination is a characteristic ot the British soldier, what are we to say of the Irish, soldiery We know that if the Irish soldier has to face a hundred men in battle )\e shouts, Taugh-a-ballagh," and clears the way with sword or bayonet. Something has been said to-day about soldiers who are prepared to make the supreme sacrifice. Well, all I wish to- add is that no man can go into eternity with greater confidence than the bravo soldier who makes the supreme sacrifice in a spiirt of patriotism and in a spirit of religious heroism as a defender of his countrys' rights and liberties. Yom chapel-hall will ennoble the. sentiments of patriotism l>y which you are inspired. I know that your mothers, wives, laughters and sisters are proud of the spirit o'; self-sacrifice which you will have shown lor the common good. It is not for me to say on whom wo are to fix the blame for the condition of things wnich iias damped recruiting in this State. We should not seek to lay the olame upon any political arangemeut or .upon any political party. It will suffice if we take cognisance of the fact that the war must be won, .ind with all the help we can give. i;i regard to population Australia is .lot like an overflowing tank, and we will have reason t< be well satisfied u we gee a couple of hundred recruits every week. If that number is not sufficient we must get more. Common sense tells us: that if we do not win the w.ai the victory will be with our enemies. We must use our influence in ever} possible way while the war is on, and those who are »Ue to scrv; as soldiers should :lo so. Our house is burning, and every man who is able to help must take ofl his coat so as to put out the fire,' : •