This Week In 1914 New Zealand Prepares For Long Conflict

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 286, 3 December 1938, Page 11 (Supplement)

This Week In 1914 New Zealand Prepares For Long Conflict

Although some people in j New Zealand were still thinking and acting at this time in 1914 as if the Great War was likely to burn itself out in a short time, a great many more were convinced by December that the struggle was one of life and death and liable to drag out for many weary months and perhaps years. Xews from the war front would tell of first one and then the other side gaining a great victory, but it was soon realised that, although the enemy might be heavily beaten at one. point, the best the victors could hope for would be an j advance of a mile or two. Reports of Allied triumphs, had been received witli enthusiasm at first, buttho fervour raised was to be dampened by following reports of an enemy advance or success. As they began to appreciate the situation, so did New Zea landers view the position more soberly and the gay desire to smash the enemy quickly was replaced by a grim determination to see the matter through and give all, if necessary, to ensure the ultimate victory of which all were confident. Helped by this realisation of the true significance of the war on which the nation had so joyously embarked, people in all walks of life contributed to the various funds which were started. Tlie Patriotic Fund, tlie English and Belgian Relief Fund, as well as the various appeals sponsored by the churches, all received warm support from the public. Gifts of money, clothes and food were given generously, and the men, women and children whose duty it was to stay at home did everything possible to help their country in the tense struggle in which it was engaged. Curiously enough, however, the 2000 reinforcements who were training at 1 renthani, were almost ignored in so far as gifts were concerned. This was probably due to an oversight on the j>art of the public, who were now engrossed in the fortunes of the Allies, but, nevertheless, it was unfortunate as for a time the men believed that they had been forgotten once the first glamour had worn out.

The men who made up tlie reinforcements were a particularly line stamp of Xew Zealander and soldier. The camp was the lirst national one in the true sense of the word and the men ill it were considered to be the pick of the country s manhood. The organisation and administration of the camp excelled that of. any previous training centre, and the whole of the army was represented. Every regiment and every arm of the service had men tjieie and all were training to take their place ultimately as reinforcements for every unit of 1 lie Kxpeditionarv Force then in Egypt.

Hie apparent neglect of the citizens was made up for when early in December the people of Wellington entertained the men at Christmas dinner. The camp was a scene of festivity and the woops had a royal time. They knew they were preparing for a great adventure and possibly something worse.