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I Gift to Brecon

THE "EXPRESS" DIARY.

! TWO M.Ps.I

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TWO M.Ps. I I Speak at Recruiting Meeting, I MR. SIDNEY ROBINSON AND SIR W. HOWELL DAVIES AT BUILTH WELLS. 1 STIRRING SPEECHES. Strenuous efforts are being made by the Parlia- mentary Recruiting Committee, in conjunction with the military authorities, in a recruiting cam- paign, now taking place in North Breconshire. The meetings opened at Builth on Monday, when the platform was a very influential one, Sir W. Howell Davies, M.P., and Mr Sidney Robinson, M.P., with prominent local gentlemen being the principal speakers. The band of the Depot Houth Wales Borderers played selections and paraded the streets. Morning Meeting. I Mr 0. W. Davies (Aberduhonow) presided at the morning meeting, and was supported by Mr Paton (Parliamentary Recruiting Committee), Mr J .Williams-Vaughan, Major R. P. Jessell, Mr H. Vaughan Vaughan, Mr C. W. Woosnam, Mr Gilbert Eadie (chairman, Builth Urban Council) and Dr. A. Maitland Jones. The chairman, after explaining the object of the meeting, said they were at war with an enemy, whose men would stop at nothing. Their methods of warfare were brutal. Speaking of the Regis- tration Act, the chairman stated it was a pity that it was not passed 12 months ago. If it had been passed then, they should have had a strong army of single men by now. The army, at present, comprised 60 per cent. of married men, whilst a large number of single men remained behind, whom the papers called "slackers." This state of affairs cost the country a great deal, and was a great pity when she was in peril. He had a number of relatives at the front, some of whom had been killed and others wounded. He heard from his brother, who had been fighting in the Dardanelles, only the other day, and he stated that they got the Turks on the hop but, owing to the lack of reinforcements, could not go on. This should not happen, exclaimed Mr Davies, for they should have sufficient men to conquer the enemy. He hadn't a man of military age on his farm at present, and would not have one during the war. He had volunteered for the front, but the doctor at Brecon would not allow him to go. He hoped they would buck up and fight for Old Eng- land. (Loud cheers.) Mr J. Williams-Vaughan, in the course of his renJarks, said it was the duty, of every man, woman and child to do something to bring this great and terrible war to a satisfactory conclusion. The Germans had, for 40 years, been preparing for it. But for the barbarous outrages they had committed in Belgium, they could not but admire the way in which they had fought. It was a thousand pities that Great Britain was not pre- pared for war, and the only way open was to make up for lost time by placing a united front before the enemy. They read in history that England was always unprepared for war, but, as time went on, her army became stronger, thus enabling her, generally, to bring wars to satisfactory conclus- ions. If the Germans came to England, they would not ask people to join the army but make them, and, if they refused, they would be shot. He had two sons serving their country—one in the navy and the other in the army. (Hear, hear.) If he had had any more,. they would have had to join. Every man, who was physically fit should eplist and, by doing his best, would assist in this great war. If the Germans came to Eng- land, they would do worse here than what they had done in Belgium. People had said that the voluntary system had failed, and that they needed conscription. If the voluntary system should fail, they would then have conscription. Everyone did not like conscription, but necessity knew no end. The voluntary system had not been worked out. Large armies had been raised by this system, which were now in France and at the Dardanelles, the best in the world. The only difficulty was that they were not large enough. Mr George L. Paton, in a stirring speech, re- marked that he could not serve himself, but had sent his only boy. If any man in the audience could not go himself, he should send a recruit. There was a charge against farmers, and it was that they were keeping their boys back. Was it true-? On July 24th, 1914, the first shot in this awful and gigantic war was fired. The unexpect ed always iliappene(I to England, but he did not know why England was never prepared for war. A statesman had said she always "muddled" through, but Mr Paton pointed out that it could not be done in the present war. They were now engaged in a war of blood and iron, and, con- sequently, men had to be trained and drilled be- fore they could take their places at the front. The nearer they were to the end of thb war, more men would be required. The question had been asked in the papers whether Lord Kitchener had enough men, but he was too shrewd to state how, many he had. Lord Kitchener had also said that there would not be sufficient men until the enemy was vanquished. Alluding to the Registration Bill, Mr Paton believed it was a perfectly common sense thing, for the nation needed organisation and discipline. They would find, by reading the papers, that on July 1st, the armies in France were in the same position as what they were on November 1st last-9 months ago. The cry nov was for more men. The munitions question was being solved. There were people who did not realise the Seriousness of the war. The Germans were going to steam-roller into Calais, and they would stick it. Proceeding, Mr Paton said he told an audience of workers at Blackburn, who threatened to strike, that if they did so he would go over to France and tell the "Tommies" to strike. The war was costing them three millions a day, and if it continued much longer it would cost more. What were they to say to the young men of 20 and 21 who stated that they would come when they were fetched ? Their country called all such men. Major R. P. Jessell and Mr C. W. Woosnam also spoke, making splendid appeals for recruits. On the pftposition of Mr Gilbert Eadie, second- ed by Mr C. W. Woosnam, thanks were tendered to Mr O. W. Davies for presiding. There was a large gathering, and selections, including national anthems, were played by the band. The speeches were delivered frpm a brake, upon which the Union Jack was hoisted. Afternoon Meeting. I Councillor Gilbert Eadie, J.P., presided at the afternoon meeting, and was supported by Mr Sidney Robinson, M.P., Sir Wm. Howell Davies, M.P. (Bristol), Mr Paton (Parliamentary Recruiting Committee), Mr J. Williams-Vaughan, Mr C. W. Woosnam and Major R. P. Jessell. There was a large crowd. The chairman said that the men of Builth had come forward splendidly, and he did not think that many who were able to serve had been left behind. He believed the ladies could do something in the matter of recruiting. Builth Wells always rose to an occasion, and were very patriotic. He hoped the surrounding districts would be the same.

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