The Daily News. MONDAY, AUGUST 11, 1919. A WORTHY TRIBUTE.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 August 1919, Page 4

The Daily News. MONDAY, AUGUST 11, 1919. A WORTHY TRIBUTE.

The task which fell to the lot of the British Prime Minister when moving a vote. of thanks in the House of Commons, on Wednesday last, to the Empire's forces in the late war, was one that called for the highest statesmanship and diction in order to do full justice to the theme. "Though Mr Lloyd George lacks the poetic imagination of Lord Beaconsfield. and the oratorical powers of Mr Gladstone, yet even the cable summary of his speech discloses that he rose to the occasion with becoming dignity and thoroughness, and covered the ground with an earnestness and eloquence which must carry conviction to the whole of the Empire that the thanks of Parliament to all those who in anyway helped in achieving victory was not a mere form, but an expression of the heartfelt gratitude of the nation through the representatives of the people. It was peculiarly fitting that at the outset Mr Lloyd George gave expression to a glowing eulogy of Marshal Foclr's leadership and military genius, by which the victory gained in 1918 was made possible. With this exception and the acknowledgment of thanks to Mr Asquitl) and Sir E. Grey for deciding to declare war, and save the land from shame, the remarks were confined to a worthy recognition of the part taken by the forces of Britain, India and the Dominions, and paying well merited tributes to tlie industrial workers for their celerity, efficiency and completeness in equipping the armies; to the mercantile marine for facing horrors even worse than the battlefield, and to the women and auxiliary workers. "One of the most thrilling events in the history of the world," said the British Premier, "was the rallying of millions of men to the flag," and with that marvel was associated the great name of Lord Kitchener —the only British Minister who ever laid down his life in war. His trite summary of the spirit Avhieh animated the Imperial forces emphasises how final victory was obtained, and his words, which will sink deeply into the hearts of the people, may well be quoted:

"Everywhere, on land and sea and : n the air the strain on heart, nerve, will and courage of the men' was beyond anything described in the history of- the world. It was a matter for just pride that Britain fought better, displayed greater daring and endurance and delivered more vigorous, mightier, and more terrible blows in the last year of the war than ever before,"

There was no jarring note concerning blunders to mar the lofty sentiments of praise. It was the copsummatiQn of the great task that formed the subject of his theme which glowed with pride at the mighty achievement of the Empire's millions who upheld the nobility of the race in a manner worthy of its best traditions. No words could have been better chosen, than those used 'by Mr Lloyd George in his glowing tribute to the part played in the war by the men from the Dominions, whose "dazzling list of victories" need only to be perused in order to realise the greatness of their share in the happy issues. "We rejoice," he added, "as much as they, that the Dominions, through their sons, have won a prominent place in the, fraternity of nations. [Lord Curzon paid an equally glowing tribute to the efforts of the Dominions which lie characterised as being a "national epic, and enshrined in the glories of our race," having a moral force that it was 1 impossible to over-estimate. The Dominions have good reason, to be proud of the, great work they accomplished. When war broke out no one ever imagined that every available fit man m the Empire would be needed, and the response from overseas was both generous and creditable. Canada sent 460,000, Australia 400,000, New Zealand 112,000, and South Africa 76,000. whose timely and effective aid has left an imperishable impression on the conscience of the world. But for the intervention of the United States thousands more would have been needed and were ready to answer the call, and it is gratifying to know that theii 1 services have met with such splendid tributes by the leaders oi both Houses of Imperial

Parliament and by the. nation as a whole. The Premier's touching reference to the men and women racked with the strain of anxiety and grief deeply affected the House, and even the cabled summary of his remarks discloses the depth of feeling displayed in this pathetic tribute to the heroism of the bereaved. "Only in the Day of Judgment would they know how much agony had been brought to millions of homes, and the measure of the silent heroism displayed," yet, in spite of all the anguish, Mr Lloyd George confidently asserted that "those who had shown such great qualities would show them again to save the Motherland from danger, if the need came through more subtle, and therefore more formidable perils." The unquenchable spirit of patriotism bums as brightly and fiercely to-day as ever, although the war is over and thousands of crosses mark the last resting place of those who made the supreme sacrifice. The price of victory was appalling, but it had to be paid to rid the world of the most terrible horror in all history, and a grateful nation pours forth its tribute of gratitude ta the dead as well as to the living, and its heartfelt sympathy with the bereaved. Mere words can only faintly express the thankfulness of the victors for the triumphs achieved by those who rallied round the flag. Their deeds will live in history, and deep down in the hearts of people of the Empire is enshrined the memory of the brilliant exploits, the indomitable courage and the unswerving determination of the valiant men on laud, on sea and in the air, who gave of their best in the cause of freedom and justice, adding imperishable fame and honor to the Empire, which has always stood and will ever stand for the cause of right and the uplifting of humanity. The full text of Mr Lloyd George's eloquent testimony of appreciation of the work of the Imperial forces and industrialists will be eagerly awaited. He spoke not for himself, but for the nation over whose destinies he so worthily presides. He accomplished a difficult and delicate task with characteristic thoroughness, and the closing act of the great war drama will be a pleasing memory.