home front

The war at home

Most New Zealanders responded to the war with great enthusiasm. But as it dragged on, newspaper editorials called for greater sacrifices. By 1917  war weariness had set in. Things were at a stalemate. Casualty lists and food prices continued to rise. In July 1917 some called for New Zealand's military commitment to be reduced.

The home front

Particularly in its early stages, New Zealand's involvement in the war enjoyed overwhelming public support in New Zealand. Opposition was confined to a small group of radical members of Parliament, religious leaders, and others who condemned the war as an aggressive act of imperialism designed to seize control of the Transvaal's gold mines. Such views had little impact on public opinion; New Zealand's political leaders and the community in general were rather intolerant of opposition to the war.

Wilhelmina Bain's opposition

Wilhelmina Sherriff Bain was one of those who opposed the war. She spoke to the National Council of Women's annual conference in Dunedin in April 1900 on the topic of peace and arbitration, wryly acknowledging the untimeliness of the topic. 'With all the ardour of its young, strong nationality,' she said, New Zealand

'Poor little Belgium'

When war broke out in 1914 New Zealanders rallied to the aid of 'poor little Belgium'. By early 1915, more than £37,000 had been sent to the British and Belgian Relief Fund in London. Mayors in towns and cities set up relief funds to handle donations of goods and money. Auckland's Belgian Relief Fund raised over £10,000 within a few weeks.

A white Home Guard armband attributed to Donald Archibald McCurdy. McCurdy was a First World War veteran who served in the Home Guard with C Company, Makara Battalion, during the Second World War.

Members of the Otago Women’s Patriotic Association are photographed at one of their many fund-raising events for Belgium.

An appeal to the women of New Zealand

At this moment of our Empire’s needs I appeal to the women of New Zealand to assist me in trying to provide any necessaries which may be required for … the citizen army … My suggestion would be to start a fund in every centre under a small committee of ladies.

Annette, Lady Liverpool (whose husband was New Zealand’s governor), made this plea just one day after the outbreak of war in August 1914. She urged women to provide useful items for soldiers: shirts, underclothing, socks and darning kits (known as housewives).

General Post Office staff on the road with the Belgian Relief Fund, around 1915.