The feeling of gratitude must, however, be mutual, for it is obvious that the gallant resistance offered by Belgium to the invading army of her great, bullying neighbour contributed in an immense degree to the subsequent success of the Allies in France.
There is every reason to fear that if it had not been for the heroic defence of her territory by little Belgium, the German army would have overrun France, before the mobilisation of the French forces could have been completed and before a British expeditionary force could have been landed in France, even if, indeed, the latter operation could have been successfully accomplished at all.
The debt of gratitude under which, through the performance of the service of delaying the German advance, the Belgians placed the Allies is one that in itself demanded from British people a prompt and cheerful response to the appeal for assistance for the Belgian race.
That appeal is reinforced, moreover, by the claims upon our humanity which is involved in the terrible plight of the Belgian refugees - bereaved, homeless, deprived virtually of everything they possessed.
Upon no previous occasion in the history of the world has there been a case comparable to that of the Belgians at the present time in the potency of the appeal made by it upon the generous instincts of civilised peoples.
• The annual picnic and sports of the Otago Labour Day Association (twenty-fifth anniversary) were held at Evansdale yesterday. The weather was beautifully fine, and a large crowd, numbering over 2500, took advantage of the opportunity of having a run out of town.
Two crowded trains carried the bulk of the excursionists, but a number of others drove out, and many were present from the neighbouring district. Hot water was in plentiful supply, and nothing was left undone on the part of the officials to make the outing entirely successful.
The sports were an entire success, and were witnessed by a large gathering, though during the afternoon a great many people found their way among the many beautiful walks in the vicinity, and up among the fern and clematis of the native bush.
Everything passed off without any serious misadventure, and the greatest credit reflects upon those responsible for the way in which everything was managed and brought to a successful issue.
Mr J. Thomson (the secretary) was thoroughly alive to the many obligations of his office, and the treasurer (Mr M. M'Allen) had his hands full of multifarious business, and was here, there, and everywhere in the interests of the excursionists. Mr H. Kendall was superintendent, Messrs F. Watt, C. W. Lorrimer, J. Prendergast, and S. Boreham ground stewards, Messrs G. A. Kellan and W. Ruston clerks of the course, and Mr W. Renwick handicapper and starter.
The judges of the running were Messrs F. Greenhaugh, T. Sim, J. B. O'Connor, C. L. Campbell, D. Daniels, and W. J. Pellett; Messrs J. Couper and Pollock judged the waltzing competition, and Mr George Anderson the Highland dancing.
A large number of children's races were got off, lending a good deal of interest to the proceedings. Messrs W. J. Ingram, P. Williams, J. H. Barnes, C. W. Lorrimer, R. Patton, G. Garbutt, and W. T. Ranger acted as superintendents. Shortly after arriving on the ground every child was presented with a toy, and there was a plentiful supply of lollies.
- ODT, 27.10.1914.
