The Daily News. TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 1918. THE EMPIRE'S CALL.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 April 1918, Page 4

The Daily News. TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 1918. THE EMPIRE'S CALL.

In view of the large losses that must inevitably be suffered by the Empire's forces on the West front as the result of the great German offensive that is now proceeding, it is not surprising that the British Premier (Mr. Lloyd George) has deemed it an imperative duty to ask Parliament to authorise immediate measures for raising fresh forces in the Motherland, and that he also urges the Dominions' Governments to reinforce their heroic troops in the fullest possible manner and with the smallest possible delay. His appeal, which is published elsewhere in this issue, stated that the struggle is only in its opening stages, and that, before the campaign is finished, the last man may count. Mr. Massey is well within the mark when he states that New Zealand has done splendidly up to the present, and Mr. Lloyd George bears generous testimony tg the dauntless courage of the sons of the Empire. The call is one that is even more urgent than that which first sounded when the war broke out, "for the Allies have reached the most critical stage of the struggle at a time when our erstwhile ally, Russia, from whom such great aid was expected, has thrown over her best friends and seriously increased the great task of defeating the Central Powers, though the defection has not affected the confidence of the Allies in ultimate victory. No help that the Dominions could send now would be in time to affect the result of the enemy's intense offensive, but, as Mr. Lloyd George points out, the real struggle is only in its opening stages, and it is to carry on that struggle, and bring it to a successful issue, that the full strength of the Empire must be applied at the earliest possible moment. ' There is neither room for doubt nor hesitation in the response to this vital call, though it will press very heavily on New Zealand, which, as the youngest and smallest of-, the Dominions, has set a

noble example of sacrifice and patriotism to the other units of the Empire. Had the principle of equality of sacrifice been acted upon by all the Dominions, it would not have been left for New Zealand to draw so heavily on her manpower resources. The other Dominions will now, no doubt, feel mortified at not having adopted conscription before, while the cutting out of Ireland from (he operation of this necessary war measure is one of those matters that defy justification. Tt is of no usj!, however, to dwell on what might and should have been done. We have to face and overcome the crisis, and there is only one way in which this can be done—by a loyal and prompt response to the call which is now made on tlie whole of the Empire. Our own Government has at once begun the consideration of the numbers of the partially trained men and of the recruits within reach. It is quite probable that the Second Division men may be called into camp earlier than was promised, and that the ballots which have to be made will be pushed forward. There is not the slightest doubt that New Zealand will again be to the fore in meeting this further Urgent demand, and it will be to the lasting shame of the other Dominions if they do not rise to the occasion and redeem the slackness of the past. The fate of the Empire is in the balance. We know Germany's aims and intentions if she succeeds, so that if the Empire is to continue, and the freedom of the nations to be secured, there must be no holding back, but the utmost sacrifices must be made—even to the last in order, to overcome the common foe of the civilised world.