EMPIRE'S GRATITUDE.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 September 1919, Page 10

EMPIRE'S GRATITUDE.

FIGHTERS AND WORKERS THANKS OF PARLIAMENT. London, August fi. The Prime Minister to-day moved resolutions of thanks to the following:— Firstly.—To the petty officers, and men of the Navy and the Royal Marines for their sleepless watch over the seas and for the courage, resource and devotion with which, during four years of constant peril, they maintained the blockade of the enemy's coast, convoyed the armies from the most distant lands, and defended the commerce and the civilised world against the craft of a subtle and ruthless foe. Secondly.—To the • officers, non-com-missioned officers and men of the armies in the field for the matchless valor and endurance with which, amid circumstances of unexampled hardship, they sustained the shock of the \var in many climes; for the good humor, ciemency and patience of tiieir bearing; for the undaunted spirit which carried them through four years of strenuous toil to complete and splendid victory. _ Thirdly.—To the officers, non-commis-sioned officers, and men of the air force for their brilliant daring and conspicuous services over seas and land.

Fourthly,—To the gallant troops from the Dominions overseas, from India and from the Crown colonies for the promptitude with which they responded to the call for justice and freedom; for the noble part they played in conjunction with their comrades f*»m the British islands in securing the triumph of right pver wrong. . /

Fifthly.—To the women of the medical and other auxiliary services for their devotion to the sick and wounded, and for other duties faithfully and bravely discharged. Sixthly.—To the officers and men of the mercantile marine for the iftie and fearless seamanship by which our people were preserved from want ahd our cause from disaster.

Seventhly.—That this House doth acknowledge with deep submission and reverence the heroism of those who have fallen in the* service of their country, and tenders its sympathy to their relatives in the hour of their sorrow and their pride. TRIBUTE TO MARSHAL FOCH. Mr. Lloyd Gerge also moved a resolution according the nation's profound sense of its admiration and gratitude for the supreme service rendered to the British nation by Marshal Foch, as generalissimo of the Allied armies. Referr. ing to Marshal Foch, Mr. Lloyd George said that his genius was recognised by friend and foe. The war would have been won without Foch, but not in 1918 —(cheers) and what winning the war in 1918 meant to the world was difficult to calculate. The gratitude of the civilised world, therefore, went out to him. (Cheers).

The Prime Minister paid a notable tribute to Mr. Asquith and Viscount Grey, Foreign Secretary at the outbreak of the war, for accepting the challenge'of the Prussians in 1914, and thug saving Britain from shame. We would hatfs bcieit a prosperous but despised people had we not entered the war. (Cheers). The way in which millions rallied to the flag was one of the most thrilling and most inspiring episodes in the history of the world, and would always be associated with the name of Kitchener. (Cheers). The dauntlessness of these mifft ranked with the iron infantry -of Marlborough and Wellington on land, nnd with the daring seamen of Drake at sea. (Cheers). VALOR OF THE DOMINIONS. Referring to the mercantile marine, Mr Lloyd George said that the horrors they sometimes had to bear were more than those on the battlefield. Everywhere, on land and sea and in the air, our men sustained a strain beyond anything in history. Moreover, we fought better and more formidably in 1918 than we ever did.

Regarding the contribution of the Dominions, the Prime Minister said that they had only to pursue the truly daring list of victories won by overseas men to realise the greatness: of their share. (Cheers), "We rejoice as much here as they do," he said, "that through the valor of their sons they won a permanent place in the fraternity of nations." (Cheers).

India's remarkable contribution, notably in the East, won her a new claim to our consideration, a claim so irresistible that it ought and must, overpower all prejudice and timidity wiiich might stand in the way of her progress. (Cheers). The Prime Minister Mso alluded to the praisewortry contribution of the workers and industrial leadersMr. Lloyd George concluded: "All classes suffered alike. No class can point the finger of reproach at the other. A nation whose men and women have shown such splendid qualities in the hour of the country's need shall get together aggin in the face of a more subtle menace to save the Motherland from danger. (Loud cheers).

The motions, which were supported by the Liberal and the Labor leaders, were passed unanimously.