Poster, 'N.Z. Patriotic Society'

item details

NamePoster, 'N.Z. Patriotic Society'

ProductionNew Zealand Patriotic Society (Wellington Branch); publisher; 1915-1916; New Zealand
Yeoman & Barker; printing firm; 1915-1916; New Zealand
David McLaren; poet; 1915-1916; New Zealand

Classificationpolitical posters

Materialsink, paper

Materials Summaryprinted paper

Techniquesprinting

DimensionsOverall: 384mm (width), 810mm (height)

Registration NumberGH016012

Credit lineAcqusition history unknown

Overview

This poster was printed in New Zealand during World War I and features a locally written patriotic poem of epic proportions.

Appeals to patriotism

This poem was published by the New Zealand Patriotic Society in the style of British recruiting posters of the period where the very printing inks themselves are patriotic (red and blue on white paper). The title of the poem references Lord Kitchener’s call in 1915 for more men to enlist. The poet, David McLaren, was a trade unionist and politician (being Mayor of Wellington from 1912-13), and was a lover of poetry.

Lord Kitchener
The poem quotes Lord Kitchener (1850-1916), who was the British War Secretary:

What's wanted now is men, more men,
To live, and work, and fight.

It's Kitchener's words I'm quoting
And they mean a mighty lot.

Kitchener was one of the Allies' most influential politicians, and is perhaps best known as the moustachioed face with finger pointing accusingly at the viewer from 'Your Country Needs You' recruitment posters.