WELLINGTON'S FAREWELL

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

WELLINGTON'S FAREWELL

ADDRESS BY LORD GALWAY

MR SAVAGE ON EQUALITY OF SACRIFICE (PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGBAM.) WELLINGTON, January 3. Practically, all , Wellington .and the Hutt Valley must have been concentrated along the route of the march taken by the returned soldiers and Trentham members of the Ist Echelon of the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force on their march through the city after the official farewell at Parliament House this morning. The turnout of returned men was so large that the people were nearly as impressed by them as by those in uniform, the returned men taking seven minutes to pass a given point, compared with 11 by the troops. Five bands participated in the march, and the band ofH.M.S. Ramillies was stationed at the Citizens' War Memorial, which the troops marched past as they left the parade at Parliament House, saluting as they went by. The whole city was at a standstill. Premises were open, but nobody remained inside. In the main it was a silent tribute the soldiers received. There were cheers in places and clapping of hands, but in the main the people's patriotism was in their faces, not their throats, and also notable was the fact that there was a complete absence of vulgar jostling to see, the thousands being content to stand back on the pavements, leaving the front to those obviously intent on picking out their relatives and friends with a | word of cheer : they came along. Fresh Lesson Needed Addressing the men, the GovernorGeneral (Lord Galway) said that they were about to leave to answer the nation's call for assistance against a powerful enemy which challenged the right of other peoples, including the British Empire, to live their own lives. One would have thought that the German people might have learned a lesson from the last war, but apparently the gangster Government now in power in that country required that it be taught a fresh salutary lesson. It was because they all appreciated the danger to the Empire and the challenge to the liberty which, as British subjects, they had always enjoyed that they were leaving their homes and their loved ones to assist the Motherland. * Loyalty and devotion to the Throne and Empire were characteristic of New Zealand. Many proofs had been given in the past, and in its maintenance lay the surest safeguard of the peace and prosperity of that Empire of which all were so proud to belong.' After reference to the traditions built up by the New Zealand Division in the last war, he expressed the general hope that hostilities might not be drawn out, but said that the danger which threatened was so real that every fit man in every part of the Empire should be trained with the least possible delay and made ready for service. He paid a tribute to the leader, Major-General Freyberg, and referred to the fact that the troops' comfort and well being abroad were being taken in hand. He congratulated most heartily those who volunteered for service overseas with the Ist Echelon, wishing them godspeed. Equality of Sacrifice The Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage) prefaced his speech with an apology for the absence of General Sir Andrew Russell, who returned from the last war trusted, honoured, and indeed loved by the men who served under him and if he was a judge of a man he predicted that the same thing was going to happen on this occasion. Twice within the memory of the present generation of New Zealand, men responded to the call of Empire, and for that they had to thank the men who served in the past and those there to-day ready to serve in the future in whatever sphere they might be called upon. Mr Savage spoke of the duty of those who remained at home. It was the job of the Government to organise for war and organise for peace, too, he said. "Let me say to you', officers, men, and citizens assembled here, that equality of sacrifice is not going to be an empty phrase," said Mr Savage. "Those who are to stay at home are going to do their part. The job does not end with the men in the trenches, great as is their part." He said he was speaking in the name of the Government, and not as an individual. There was only one way to help the Mother Country and the Allies —that was through the Government. The time had come for unity. The day was here to begin the great work of organisation, so that the men going abroad would be able to say they were not going to • make their sacrifices in vain. On behalf of the Government and people, he thanked the officers and men on parade. "Our hearts and prayers will be with you, and our hands outstretched to meet you on return," he concluded. Defence of Honour The Leader of the Opposition (the Hon; Adam Hamilton) said: "You represent the first unhesitating reply to to-day's challenge to man's destiny." He thought that the undaunted and unflinching spirit they displayed in answering that call was, greater evidence of the determination of free men to defend honour and the precious privileges of liberty and justice than had ever been made in modern history. New Zealand's vanguard, already in the war in the air and on the sea, had glorified again the name of New Zealander. "You are worthy successors to carry high the national banner," he said. He hoped that wherever duty took them they would be given the courage, strength, and determination to uphold and advance those British and New Zealand traditions ol vrt\icri ail -were 1 so proud. "May we at home prove worthy of your trust," added Mr Hamilton. "While you are away I know you will prove worthy of ours and of the honoured name of New Zealand." In the concluding speech the president of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association (the Hon. W. Ferry, M.L.C.) said that he assured the troops that their interests would be watched in their absence, and he hoped that on their return they would strengthen the organisation of the Returned Soldiers' Association. He expressed the wholehearted confidence of the returned men that the present troops would worthily uphold the traditions of Anzac. "From old Diggers to new, good luck to you all, boys, and may you all come back covered with glory and with increased honour to New Zealand," he concluded.

THE AUCKLAND PARADE

SCENES OF GREAT ENTHUSIASM AUCKLAND, January 3. In brilliant sunshine, the soldiers of the Special Force", numbering more than 2000, from Hopuhopu, Papakura, and Ngaruawahia camps, paraded at the domain to-day in the presence of more than 6000 citizens and afterwards marched back to the railway station through densely-lined streets. After arrival by trains early in the forenoon, the soldiers marched by a short route to the domain, headed by military bands,. and as the respective units formed up on parade at the

t domain they were greeted by rounds of warm applause. They included a unit that is purely Auckland’s, the *!Bth Auckland Infantry Battalion. So well had they been trained that it was almost impossible to believe that only three months had passed since they set out to become soldiers. The parade was commanded by Lieutenant-, Colonel Parkinson. The magnificent arms drill of the men as they accorded Colonel N. McD. Weir a general salute brought enthusiastic applause. Addresses were given by Colonel Weir, fhe Mayor (Sir ' Ernest Davis), and the Hon.. W. Nash, representing the Government. Parting Cheers At the call of the Mayor, three rousing cheers were given by the crowd for the soldiers. Crowds of civilians, five and six, deep, lined the streets as the men marched back. Queen street was thickly thronged and there was hearty cheering. almost every soldier appearing to have friends in the crowd. “I hope you do not have to fight long and that you, will end the fear, suspense, and suspicion that have made life intolerable,” said Mr Nash, in his farewell speech. “I hope your determination will last and that there will soon be peace and liberty for all the peoples of the world, and that you come back safely to us to continue to build for the future.” Particularly enthusiastic was the scene at the Town Hall where, during the march past on the way back to the station, the salute was taken by Colonel Weir, Sir Ernest Davis, and Mr Nash. Thousands had been waiting in Queen’ street for more than an' hour, work in the city being at a standstill. Upper windows and verandas were crowded. At the corner of Queen and Customs streets the crowd took up The tune played by the band. “It’s a Long Way to Tipperary.” and broke from that into “Hullo, Hullo, Whose Your Lady Friend?”

Auckland gave a rousing farewell to her smartly turned-out soldier*.