DOMINION'S PART.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 May 1917, Page 5

DOMINION'S PART.

NEW ZEALAND'S WAR SPIRIT. .. SREEGH BY MR' HEKDMAN. _ By Telegraph.—Press 'Association. Wellington, Last Night. Replying to the toast of the National Government at the- Chamber of Commerce luncheon, Hon. A. L. illerdiiian said that, serious aa the issue might he, he had never any doubt about the result, and he would tell them why. Without knowing the arts of war, he had an unshaken belief in the character audi spirit of the British people, lie believed that '.British citizens had silently and tacitly entered into u solemn league and covenant that they would perish altogether rather than that the Prussian legions should lie free to roam at their sweet will over the face of the globe. '"I pin my faith to British sentiment," added Mr Herdman. ''lt is my mascot during the war." New Zcalanders enjoyed boundless prosperity-, but some of them resented military ,-e/vice. His''belief was that it was the duty of every able-bodied man to render military service in defence of his country. Voluntary service was only fooling with the problem. If we had been wise we should have had military service from the outset. Others complained because it was alleged they had not -conscripted wealth through the taxing department. The day might come when it would be. necessary to insist that the people do more, but no man, except a fool, would take some extreme action which might wreck and dislocate the whole business machinery of the country. There were some who said we passed too much restrictive legislation. Ho answered that in war time it was necessary that enemy trade must 'he stopped, and it had been. People must be compelled to behave as loyal citizens. No one need fear the war regulations except the man who wanted to live in a country where there was 110 law, no social order, and no policeman. Ho believed the people of New Zealand were never in better mood for fighting the war through than to-day. They were prepared to fight with all their mighty for they wanted the war finished in such a way that there would never be such another for centuries. They were prepared to find the money; they would submit to taxation; they would keep tire home fires burning and send ships across sea despite any conspiracy by any ill-condi-tioned section of the community. No Government need fear to appeal to the people of the Dominion for help. There need be no timidity, nervousness, nor hesitation. "My knowledge of the Dominion and its inhabitants justifies me iu saying that any decided lead along the road which makes for the speedy destruction of the enemy will receive the enthusiastic 'backing of every loyal man and woman." j Mr Berries added that he hoped the National Government would continue after the war in order to deal with postwar problems that would toe more difficult than the problems that had now to be faced.