CITY BIDS FAREWELL TO TROOPS

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22909, 4 January 1940, Page 8

CITY BIDS FAREWELL TO TROOPS

Great Crowds Line Streets

Crowds began to line the route of the parade from the railway station to Crahmer square from an early hour. Shortly after 9 o'clock the troops, which numbered more than 2000, arriving by train began to line up along Moorhouse avenue. Company after company marched out from the station, the crowd watching with intent interest as they saw the- smartness with which the troops moved. The result of the three months' training obviously •made a deep impression on those who •watched the men massed together in the city for the first time. After about half an hour the parade moved off, followed by the motor transport units, which had arrived from the eastern end of Moorhouse avenue. Men, women, and children in great numbers lined the route, frequently breaking into cheering and applause, which reached its height as the troops passed through Cathedral square. . The band cf the Ist Battalion, Canterbury Regiment, led the parade; later came the City of Christchurch Highland Pipe Band and the Canterbury Yecmanry Cavalry Band. At the Bridge of Remembrance Crowds were most closely packed at the Bridge of Remembrance, where the salute was taken by Colonel P. H. BelL D.5.0., Officer Commanding the Southern Military District The bridge itself had been cleared of all spectators. so that the marching troops were seen to full advantage by members of the public thronging the approaches. The scene here was perhaps the most striking in the whole parade. The Woolston Band, which was awaiting the parade at the bridge, played "Land of Hope and Glory," as the men marched past. To the west of the bridge, along Cashel street, they passed through a guard of honour formed of returned soldiers and members of the National Military Reserve, under Colonel H..C Hurst, C.8.E., D.5.0., and ; a. detachment of 85 from the Royal New-Zealand Air Force, under Flight Lieutenant F. C. Facer. With Colonel Bell at the bridge were Commander G. Dennistoun, D.5.0., and Lieutenant-Commander H. A. Rhind, representing the Navy; LieutenantColonel R. B. Smythe, D.5.0., Major K. J. Walker, and Lieutenant T. A- McKenzie; Wing Commander G. S. Hodson, A.F.C., and Squadron Leader R. A. Anderson, M.C., -who represented the Air Force. The returned men and the members of the Air Force fell in with the troops, and the parade marched on towards Cranmer square, where thousands of citizens who had taken up their positions early in the morning saw the massed troops for the first time. The parade was commanded by Colonel L. M. Inglis, Officer Commanding the 27th (Machine-Gun) Battalion. Lieutenant-Colonel H. K. Kippenberger, Officer Commanding the 20th (Canterbury and Otago) Rifle Battalion followed with his unit. Next came the Machine-Gun Battalion, led by the Pipe Band, followed by the 2nd. New Zealand Divisional Supply Column, the 4th Reserve M.T. Company, N.Z.A.S.C., the 12th Light Aid Detachment the 4th Field Ambulance, N.Z.M.C., and the 4th Field Hygiene Section, N.Z.M.C., led by the Band of the Canterbury Yeomanry Cavalry. The 50 army lorries and cars that followed the troops made a striking addition to the parade. It was more than half a mile long, and was watched with great interest by the crowd. This was the first time that such a unit had been massed, in Christchurch.. Crowds in Cranmer Square, It would be difficult to imagine a more impressive scene than tnat m Cranmer square, with the troops drawn np in column and thousands of civilians lining each side. the soldiers marched through the street entrance, cheer after' cheer greeted them, to be echoed down the lines as the Square filled with khakicl'ad men. Civilians stood round the Sduare v on every side, often at least 2a deep. Their general attitude-was one of deep but undemonstrative enthusiasm. On the dais in Cranmer square were the Minister for Supply (the Hon. D. G. Sullivan), the Mayor (Mr R. M. Macfarlane,. M.P.), Mr W, R. Laacelles (one of the speakers at; .the function), Mr A. E. Haynes (president of the Canterbury Returned Soldiexs Association), the Deputy-Mayor (Mr J. S. Barnett), Sir Hugh Aclar-d (Christchurch City Council); the Hon. Sir R. Heaton Rhodes, M.L.C., Bishop West-Watson, Bishop Brodie, Councillors J. E. Jones, J. W. Beanland, H. E. Denton, F. G. Thomas. E. H. Andrews, and A. C. Sandston; Colonel G. J. Smith, Messrs S. G. Holland, MJ>., T. H. McCombs, M.P., H. S. S. Kyle, M.P., H. Holland, A. H. FlavelV the Hon. Mr Justice Northcroft, Messrs J. Liggins (Waimairi County Council), J. W; Tyler (Rangiora Borough Council), D. C. McKechnie (Geraldine Borough Council), ;E: L. Smith (Mayor of New Brighton), Richards (Welcome Club and British Empire League), H. S. Feast (Acting-Town Clerk, Christchurch), the Rev. W. H. A. Vickery (Mayor of Kaiapoi), Mr F. E. Sutton (Mayor of Lyttelton). Members of the National Military Reserve, wearing their war decorations, lined the west side of the Square, and the officers and men of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, who had earlier formed a guard of honour in Cashel street, also formed up along the.west side, after having been given an enthusiastic ovation as they entered the Square. . Not. only the troops, but the thousands of civilians present, stood,to attention as bugles sounded the general salute, which was taken by Colonel Bell, and the band played the New Zealand Anthem, "God Defend New Zealand." AH eyes were fixed on the troops as they.took the order to fix bayonets. The military precision of the movements was the subject of an audible murmur of appreciation. Return to Camp -Large as the crowds were at Cranmer square, thousands were lining the streets -on the route back to the station, •waiting for the troops to pass by again. • There were even more people than

QUIET AND DIGNIFIED TRIBUTE

The city's farewell yesterday to the soldiers trained at Burnham camp for the Ist Echelon of the 2nd* New Zealand Expeditionary Force had a quiet and impressive dignity. The enormous crowds, their restrained demeanour as they intently watched the troops march through the streets with erect and soldierly bearing-, gave a character to the scene that has not been known in Christchurch before. Those who looked for the wild excitement, the singing and cheering, of occasions during the last war may have been disappointed with the extent of such demonstrations yesterday; but when the parade and the farewell were over those who lined the streets and gathered to hear the speeches realised that Christchurch had paid a deeply serious and heartfelt tribute to the men who were going away.

FIGHT AGAINST DICTATORS

OBJECTIVE OF NEW ARMY

"SECURING TRUE AND LASTING PEACE" ADDRESSES TO SOLDIERS

"These men have volunteered in no light-hearted spirit and there is no doubt that they will acquit themselves well," said the Mayor of Christchurch, Mr R. M. Macfarlane, M.P., when addressing the troops of the Ist Echelon at the ceremony in Cranmer square yesterday. Other speakers echoed Mr Macfarlane's sentiments and all paid a warm compliment to the bearing and discipline of the men. Mr Macfarlane read apologies from the Mayor of Dunedin, Mr A. H. Allen, and the Mayor of Timaru (Mr G. Tweedy). Mr Allen said in his message:— "When farewelling the men of the Ist Echelon, kindly tender to them congratulations from the people of Dunedin and Otago on their ready response to the call of duty, and wish them godspeed, good health, good fortune, ..and a safe return to their kith and kin. We are proud of them and wish them well." Mr Tweedy sent a similar telegram. There were loud cheers as each message was read. Mr Macfarlane was applauded when he asked that.. the troops be-allowed to sit down. This suggestion was promptly carried into effect.. He thanked all citizens who had Helped to make the troops at home in the city during their months of training at Burnham, thanking in particular the members of the Welcome Club. Other troops would be following the Ist Echelon into camp, Mr Macfarlane said, and the work of the Welcome Club would go on. But many members of the Ist Echelon had asked him to - voice thanks to the Welcome Club for its help. "It should be remembered that today there are many more people, not here now. but with us in spirit," Mr - Macfarlane said. "There are the countless parents, - wives, and sweethearts of men here and in other camps, unable to be with us, but still at one with us. in our feelings for these men. All over New Zealand, in fact, there will be functions to-day similar to this, and it is safe to say that practically all New Zealand is with us in saying farewell to the men of the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force. "It is regrettable, in this generation, that we should have to hold such a function." Mr Macfarlane said, "but the dictatorship Powers have forced a situation on us where we must fight. Germany built up her armaments to a point where she decided to test the democratic Powers and we had to fight. The quarrel was not one of our seeking, but was forced on us. "We must remember that these autocratic States have absolute power over their people," Mr Macfarlane added. "While, to people living under democratic rule, there might appear to be some irksome restrictions, compared with the state of the dictatorship peoples, our conditions were worth fighting for. In a democracy, we realise that we have the power to change things, if the majority find them not to their liking; but under a ■dictatorship there is "absolute power. I: care not whether it is a dictatorship of the left or of the right, and as an instance we have the experience of the Russian people. The Russian system is said to be a dictatorship of the proletariat: actually it is a dictatorship over the proletariat. We find that while we might find certain things irksome to us under a democracy, under dictatorship we have concentration camps, control over the press, and we find, too. that no person's home is sacred. On occasions. Great Britain has even humbled 'herself to preserve peace. But the time came when, after threats of aggression against Poland, we had to make a stand against the dictatorships for freedom." <'Our Best Wishes" "I am sure that I voice the sentiment of the great body of people in - new Zealand when I say to the troops going away that they have our best wishes," Mr Macfarlane added. "If was in no lighthearted manner that they responded to the call. . They gave due regard to all the consequences of their response. It was in this spirit that they volunteered to serve their country. We know that the,2nd Expeditionary Force will acquit itself in a manner equal to its predecessors. ;., (Applause.) They will make contact with, troops from

i had gathered earlier in the morning. i Not only were the-footpaths and sides of the streets packed; staffs of firms along the route leaned out from wmIdowSj stood on balconies and even on parapets to catch a glimpse of the men Many of the shops were decorated with flags, and streamers were frequently thrown and occasional greetings exchanged. The tone of the crowd again was quiet, but it was evident that there was a deep feeling among the spectators. ' • Shortly after midday the troops returned to Burnham where they welcomed visitors who came in thousands during the afternoon to see the camp and bid farewell to their friends. The behaviour of the crowds was the subject of very favourable comment by Police Superintendent S. Rawle, who had 40 men on duty. The manner in which the crowds and traffic, were controlled bv the police and the City Council traffic inspectors was. highly praised later by the Area Staff Officer. Major H. G. Livingstone*, who supervised the arrangements of the parade.

other parts of our Empire, and I am sure that they will make New Zealand favourably known. I hope, too, that they will be able to play their part in securing true and lasting peace on firm foundations. lam sure that they will do their part in seeing that a true international peace is arrived at and that those who follow them will not live to see peace threatened time and again. On behalf of the city, and of the South Island, which you represent, I wish you godspeed and a safe return. I might say that it is our hope that you might not, even, have to engage in the conflict, but we all wish for your return, safe and sound.' Mr Sullivan's Admonition Speaking for the New Zealand Government, the-Minister for Supply, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, said: "We are gathered here in the presence of the soldiers of our young nation. They have volunteered themselves with other young men of the British Empire as a living rampart against a powerful enemy that has already ruthlessly destroyed the free nations of Poland, Austria, and Czechoslovakia and would proceed to destroy piecemeal other free nations, including France and England, unless halted by a more powerful force than they can muster. "But there is worse than that to be said. Our Christian Scriptures say: 'Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul. But rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body* in hell.' With remorseless ferocity, Germany has destroyed the nationhood, the free existence of Austria, Poland, and Czechoslovakia, and at the same time is destroying their ancient culture, and imposing upon them a fantastic, alien pagan philosophy, and a foreign way of living and thinking that is repulsive to them, killing their souls and giving them German souls instead. It is to save the souls and the nationhood of these small states and to save the British Empire and our ally, France, and the peoples of the world generally against this fate that these young men go to' fight. "There are noble traditions that they will maintain under the leadership of a great New Zealand soldier and British general—Major-General Freyberg. "They will remember that they have the souls of New Zealand in their keeping. They will remember their British traditions. They will remember the pioneers of New Zealand and how they fought against the forces of Nature to build a nation—against the all-sur-rounding bush, the mountains and the mountain torrents, and with their labour and the qualities of their souls, planted here in this new land, the most promising civilisation in the world. They will remember South Africa and Gallipoli, and France and Flanders, and the imperishable glory of Anzac. They will remember our gallant women whose courage and resource have already won them high renown. "They will remember New Zealand's sons of the sea who fought in the Achilles in the South Atlantic. They will remember the sons of New Zealand who have fought on the land, in the air, and on the seas, and they, too, will add their quota of glory to the name and the history of their country. The New Zealand Labour Government joins with the other Governments of the Empire and with the Labour parties in every part of the Empire in this struggle to save the soul of the world and the freedom of the world against the destroying monster of Hitlerism, and we pray to-day that He Who is all good and in Whom there is no evil, will put the mantle of His protection over these boys and bring them safe home to their families and their country. In the name of the Government and the .people of New Zealand, I thank the men of the Special Force and wish them godspeed and a safe return." Old Soldiers' Farewell "We would be less than human were we not strangely stirred by the parade this morning," said Mr A. E. Haynes, speaking for the returned soldiers of Canterbury. "We men of the Ist Division feei it a privilege and an honour to act as the guard of honour for the Special Force. We salute you as the worthy successors of the Ist Expeditionary Force. You are about to enter on an adventure unparalleled in the history of the world. You may be called on to take positions vaunted by the enemy as impregnable. We know you will succeed, because New Zealanders do not fail. We know that the heroism displayed by the Ist Division will live in you. We are confident of your success, because our men have never failed in the past. We regret the necessity that demands our' army going overseas, and that the brutality of the enemy has closed all avenues for conciliation. You men are joining a force destined to play its part in bringing about that great day when all small nations on the earth will be able to enjoy their share of liberty and peace." Mr Haynes wished the men adieu and godspeed, on behalf of the Returned Soldiers' Association. Mr W. R. Lascelles spoke to the men, particularly on behalf of the recruiting organisations in ,the city, making an appeal to the public to assist in the campaign for new recruits. Colonel P. H. Bell was the last to say farewell to the troops. He did so in brief, but moving words. First, he said, he would like to say good-bye, on behalf of the territorial units of the South Island, who were still carrying on their good ■ work and who were shortly to go into the camps which the men themselves had so greatly enjoyed. ".They have watched your progress with a great deal of pride and not a little envy," Colonel Bell said. Colonel Bell also said good-bye on behalf of the various details doing duty about the coasts—the National Reserve units, the coastguards and coast watchers. They would have liked to be with the troops at the parade, but their duty prevented them. He also said farewell on behalf of the instructional staff at Burnham. The instructors now realised with pride the results of their hard work in turning the men into soldiers. Colonel Bell told the men not to think that they constituted the mam body. They constituted the first part of the division to go overseas; they would be joined later by the second section and later again by a third section, before ■ the division was complete. He knew those arriving later would be greeted as ' partners, particularly as many of them had already enlisted.

"I have watched you grow from a collection of individuals to the units we saw marching through the streets to-day," Colonel Bell concluded. "All I can say is that I would be very proud to serve you and hope that it will not be long before I am able to do so." The playing of the National Anthem and of "Auld Lang Syne" ended the ceremony. The Mayor called for three cheers for the troops, and those were i given most enthusiastically.