In doing so, he said this resolution had been carried in 300 centres on Saturday as enthusiastically as on the first anniversary. A statement by the Minister of Defence showed that we had sent thousands of men to the front, every one of whom had done his duty faithfully at Gallipoli and on the field of France. Many of them, he regretted to say, would never see their homes or friends again. In full recognition of the fact that the war might be a long drawn-out struggle, he asked the people to declare their intention to carry on until the nation which had deluged the world in blood was brought to its knees and the allies extracted from her a peace such as would make such a war impossible in the future. We were not actuated by a desire for conquest, but by love of freedom, and it was our duty to strengthen the hands of those who were fighting for freedom. However far off the end might be, there was no cold feet amongst the New Zealanders at the front, and there should be no cold feet amongst those left behind, but we must do everything in our power to lighten their task. Regarding the part of the resolution recording the thanks of the people at the front, he said nothing so impressed him when at Home as the courage and gallantry of the men fighting in the trenches, and he felt that they richly deserved this meed of recognition.
Future for aircraft
In conversation with a Lyttelton Times reporter after a visit to the Aviation School at Sockburn on Monday, Sir Joseph Ward said: ``When the war is over there will not and there cannot be a discontinuance of the uses of the aeroplane for effective and necessary defensive purposes. In all parts of the Empire, I am sure, when the war is over, the need for making provision for this branch for defensive purposes will be accomplished by a great movement to use the aeroplane for utility purposes of a peaceful nature. The improvement in the machine has been so great that it is now beyond all question that it will be used for commercial purposes. I look forward to seeing mails, that is, letters, conveyed between the important centres in this country through the air, with greater rapidity than any other form of transit. So that the work which Mr Wigram has been responsible for promoting is not going to end with the war. It will, in my opinion, be necessary in this country to continue the making of machines to train our youths, and to utilise at least a portion of their services under peace conditions for the requirements of the people.''
Comforts for soldiers
Last week, at the Mornington Council Chambers, a large number of comforts were received for the soldiers. Gifts of clothing, money, etc., have been received from the Presbyterian Ladies' Association, which also sent 400 service bags, 3 pairs socks, 147 handkerchiefs, 2 balaclava caps, and the ninth monetary contribution for dominion gift parcels. St Mary's Work Party sent 75 service bags, 2 pairs socks, and 6 tea towels; the Methodist Ladies' Guild, 96 service bags, 12 soap bags, 1 pair socks, and money for dominion gift parcels; and the pupils of the school sent 4 pairs socks, 1 handkerchief, 5 service bags, 3 face cloths, and 4 eye bandages. A quantity of warm, useful clothing was received for the relief of the soldiers' dependents. - ODT, 8.8.1917.
