NEW PLYMOUTH SOLDIER

Taranaki Daily News, 30 July 1918, Page 8

NEW PLYMOUTH SOLDIER

LECTURES IN AMERICA. The Canadian Government recently sent Serg.-Major G. Paul, son of Mrs J. Paul, of New Plymouth, to the north western states to tour the country, and to lecture for the American Red Cross for the purpose of stirring up all the farming community to plant wheat, corn, and vegetables for the allies' abroad, also to lecture on what the Red Cross was doing for the soldiers abroad, and to give his own experiences. Sergeant Paul speaks of the wonderful kindness he received everywhere. He felt the strain very much (he spoke to over 3000 people in one day). The old wounds he received still trouble him at times. He seems to have mr de a great success of his mission, judging by the reports in the American papers. The report of his speech at Comfrey states that it was a thrilling story he told, not in the language of the polished orator, but with a vigorous earnest expression, reflecting the determination of the Allies to put the Kaiser out of business, and the proof of the success of the address was that although the people were only asked to give 500 dollars they subscribed 1300 for supporting the great work of mercy in warstricken Europe. ne handled without gloves those who vculd belittle the work or workers, and all who would in any way hamper the Government in the prosecution of the war. At Wilmar. Sergt.-Major Paul, it is stated, held the attention of hundreds of people, and highly eulogised the work lof the women for the Red Cross, and ho instanced the splendid results achieved by the American Red Cross among the Italian soldiers at the time when (crman propagandists had all but disorganised the Italian army. He a!«o paid his ''compliments" to oilymouthed agitators who assisted German propaganda by preaching discontent in every country, when everybody should bo fighting witli all the strength possible. Sergt.-Major Paul was the principal speaker at the Community Service Flag Dedication at Traverse County, where 1500 people gathered at the Auditorium to hear his address. He told, says the Traverse Traveller, in a graphic and convincing way, some of his own experiences in the trenches, detailing some of the atrocities committed by the German armj% not from hearsay, but from his own actual observation. He paid a high tribute to the American soldiers In France, and made an earnest plea for the Red Cross—the most wonderful institution in the world, being known to the soldiers as "Mother," and hcjsaid that the soldiers go ''Over the top" with great bravery and dash, knowing that "Mother'' is back of the lines to care for them. Speaking of enemy propaganda, ho expressed the hope that America would soon realise that, for the sake of their boys at the front, it must be rooted out.

The enthusiasm displayed in the press reports of Sergt.-Major 'Paul's addresses plainly indicates the success of his mission, and his vigorous work on behalf of the Red Cross has, it is pleasing to note, been fruitful of results.