FIRST TO ANSWER THE CALL

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 85, 4 January 1940, Page 10

FIRST TO ANSWER THE CALL

1900 Soldiers Parade In Streets Of

Wellington

FAREWELL BEFITTING HEROES

Veterans March With Members Of The

First Echelon

A farewell befitting heroes was given in Wellington yesterday to 1900 men of the Special Force, who have earned the greatest distinction that has come to the present generation ot young man-hood--that of being the first New Zealanders, to answer the Empire’s call to defend on foreign fields the P rin * cratic government for nations, great and small. There was he greatest assembly of the public that Wellington has .seen since the stirring days of 1914-18, when an almost unceasing stream ck men, to the number of more than 100,000, eft New Zealand 1 defend the Empire and take their place side by side with soldier, from every part of the British Commonwealth of. Nations and the Allied countries. Older people saw, for the first time tie epochal spectacle of three generations ot men who have t_aken t arms in a country just celebrating its first 100 years—the small and dwindling band of South African veterans marching as part of the larger band of Great War veterans, the Anzacs themselves, and the soldiers of the 1939 call.

The men of the Special Force looked every inch New Zealanders; fit and sun-tanned, they inarched through the city streets to the accompaniment of unceasing applause from the crowds that lined every foot of the route, 10 deep, and were also perched in vantage points on buildings and anywhere that offered a chance of getting the best view of a grand, inspiring spectacle. Though it was the last public appearance, as a body, of the men before departure, there was no sadness. Gay music and martial strains from six bands, including pipers, and the carefree manner or the men made an, impression on the crowds. Everyone was proud, none more so than those with husbands, brothers, sons, lovers and friends marching with the country’s “first men of the present generation. The day was gloriously fine and crowds flocked to the city from all parts of the Wellington district. Public transport conveyances were tarxed to their utmost capacity and brought more people into the city within a short period than has been the case in many vears. Though business has just resumed after the holidays, there was another break while everyone dropped liens, tools and the other equipment of their'ealling to honour the men of the first echelon. There is no one more critical or tne new soldier than the old one, but the hundreds of returned men who paraded yesterday and those also who preferred to pass their eyes over the parade from points on the route of march, gave their unqualified approval to their successors in the upholding of the Anzac tradition. The returned soldiers took first place in the parade, divided into two groups, headed by the Boys’ Institute Band and the Port Nicholson Silver Band resi actively. Next came the returned men engaged on coastal defence. The Special force units then followed, in three •’■roups, the accompanying bands being the band of the Second Field Brigade (N.Z. Artillery), First Battalion (Wellington Regiment) Band, and Pipq« and Drums of the First Battalion (Wellington Regiment). The band of H.M.S. Runtimes was stationed at the War Memorial, where the officers on parade gave the salute and the men the “eyes right.” It took the parade 20 minutes to pass a given point, the returned soldiers’ section alone occupying seven minutes of this. 1 The parade was under the command of Lieut.-Colonel S. Varnham, M.C., E.D., officer commanding the 19th Wellington (Rifle) Battalion. Major-General B. C. Freyfoerg, commander of -the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force, was on the official vlatform in Parliament Grounds, from where the official farewell speeches were made.

GERMAN AIMS

No Longer Any Secret

LORD GALWAY’S ADDRESS

“You are about to leave your homeland to answer the nation’s call for assistance against a powerful enemy which has challenged the right of other peoples of the world, including those of the British Empire, to live their own lives,” said the Governor-General, Lord Galway, addressing the troops who were drawn up ‘in front of the official platform. Bor some years past, he said, Nazi Germany had been engaged in an armaments race—for purposes of defence only, if her spokesmen were to be believed. As soon as she found herself sufficiently powerful, she resorted — with the thinnest possible pretext —to a policy of intimidation of smaller States on her borders. That bullying attitude toward her neighbours was followed by threats of annihilation if the States concerned declined to acquiesce in her demands. The history of the past few years was too clear to need any recapitulation. Germany’s brutal and ruthless methods in achieving her aims to date were well known to all. “The intention to make Germany the master of all Europe, and, incidentally, to engulf the British Empire, is no longer any secret,” proceeded his Excellency. “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 requires to be taught a fresh and salutary lesson. It is because you all appreciate the danger io the Empire and the challenge to that liberty which, as British subjects, you have always enjoyed, that you are leaving your homes and loved omV to assist the Motherland. Hope for More Volunteers. “The traditions of the New Zealand Division in the last war are well known ro you. The formation of the First Echelon of the present New Zealand Expeditionary Force is the immediate response of New Zealand's sons to the Empire’s call. It must be realized by all that if we are to retain our independence and liberty, personal sacrifice will be required of every individual man and woman in the Umpire, and I sincerely hope that many more thousands of the young men of this country will soon be offering themselves for service alongside those of their brothers now under arms. No one can say just how this war will develop. “We all hope that the hostilities may not be drawn out, but the danger which threatens is 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.

“You. are. leaving New Zealand under a commander well known to many of you. Those who do not know Major-General Freyberg perserially are acquainted with his daring exploits during the last war, with his splendid military record, and with the personal interest which he has always taken in his men. Brought up in this country and educated here m Wellington, he is thoroughly conversant with the New Zealand outlook and the viewpoint of those who are to serve under him. You officers and men ot the New Zealand Expeditionary Force are indeed fortunate that such a prominent soldier has been chosen to be your commander. “As many of you know, a movement is already on foot to provide, as far as possible, for your comfort and well-being while you are abroad, and to this end the National Patriotic Fund Board is endeavouring to complete arrangements within the next fortnight or so for the transmission of acceptable parcels of goods to every man who leaves with the New Zealand Forces. “I take this opportunity of congratulating most heartily all those who have volunteered for service overseas with the First Echelon from New Zealand. Their unselfish action is yet another proof to the world of New Zealand’s loyalty to the Empire. It is an inspiration to all. I wish you all godspeed and a safe return to New Zealand,” concluded his Excellency.

EQUAL SACRIFICE

Mr. Savage’s Promise TIME COME FOR UNITY “This is an historic occasion, not only for New Zealand, but for the British Commonwealth of Nations,' said the Prime Minister, Mr. Savage. “Twice within the memory of the present generation have New Zealand men .responded to. the call of Empire, and for that we have to thank the men who served in the past and those who are here today ready to serve in the future in whatever sphere they may be called upon. . “I want to say to officers and men ot all ranks that we realize, those of us who will remain at home, that we have a duty too—we have a duty to you and to the country that the Government has been called upon to organize for war. When a nation is at war it is the job of the Government to organize for war, and to organize for peace, too. Let us all work and pray that the time may come, and come speedily, when the foundations will be laid in a way that will guarantee lasting peace —and unless peace is to be founded in justice, we can never hope for this peace. Part of Those at Home, “Let me say to you officers and men and to the citizens who are assembled here today, that equality of sacrifice is not going to be an empty phrase. Tho.se 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. Those taking part in the organization of the nation and the productivity of the nation, have an equal task to perform. They may be called upon to make equal sacrifices, however difficult they may appear at the moment. I feel I am speaking for the nation, for the citizens of the Dominion, when I promise the men assembled here today that we are not going to let them down. We are going to see to it that when they return, as we hope they will, we will already have prepared places for them, so that they will be able to take a real part in the country for which they have made sacrifices to defend. “I want to say that I am speaking today in the name of the Government, not as an individual, but for the Government. There is only one way to help the Mother Country and her Allies, and that is through the Government. The time lias come for unity; the day is here to begin the great work of organization, so that the men going abroad will be able to say that they are not going to be sacrificed in vain." Apologizing for the absence of Major-General Sir Andrew Russell. Mr. Savage said that General Russell returned from the last war trusted, honoured, and, indeed, loved by the men who served under him. If lie was any judge of a man, and men, lie would .predict that the same thing was going to happen on this occasion.

SHOWED THE WAY

Mayor’s Tribute To Men.

"On belialf of the citizens of Wellington, I wish you good fortune in the great task to which you have dedicated yourselves,” said the mayor of Wellington, Mr. Hislop. “We look with pride upon you today, pride in which you yourselves can share; pride in your development during your period of training, in the praise you have received from your experienced and distinguished general, but, above all, in that you at once, freely and spontaneously answered the

call of duty. You by your example point the way io the people of this country.

“You follow the example, and in the same spirit, of those who answered the call in the Great War. Many of these men, the returned soldiers of the Great War, are hero to wish you well today. These men made an honoured name .for this country in the days gone by. They created a valiant tradition that is now handed on to you. That knowledge and tradition will, I know, strengthen you in the tasks that lie ahead, ami to you we entrust with confidence Hie great name built upon the sacrifices of the past. “Today we come here to do you honour and to wish you well. But that is not enough. You lead and show the way. It is for us to follow that lead. It is for us here today to pledge our selves to bring our whole resources into the scale to support yon and the cause for which you light right through to the end. “We must see to it that the selfish and the mean of spirit cannot shelter behind the sacrifice of the gallant who follow the call of duty. We must see to it that one family does not give all, while others give nothing and profit by the courage of other and better men. It is for us to see that every man capable of national service in this hour of national trial bears his allotted share. According to our means no whit less must we do than is done by the Mother Country. Thus and thus only can we be worthy of you, worthy of the country banded down t) us anil of the race from which we spring. “Good luck to you all, the spearhead of New Zealand’s Second Expeditionary Force. God speed and be with you and give you strength and resolution through to the victorious end.”

UNFLINCHING ANSWER

Mr. Hamilton’s Speech “This is a wonderful parade,” said the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Hamilton. “It thrills the hearts of us all. I will carry away with me from this historic ground memories of an inspiring occasion. You are a force worthy of our traditions. lam sure the returned soldiers on parade with you feel a welling up of pride in your appearance and performance today, in much the same way as an older brother sees his younger brother stand some great test worthy of highest manhood.

“You represent the first unhesitating reply to today’s challenge to man’s destiny,” Mr. Hamilton continued. “I think that the undaunted and unflinching spirit you displayed in answering that call is even greater evidence of the determination of free men to defend honour and the precious privileges of liberty and justice than that ever made in modern history. “New Zealand’s vanguard, already in the war, in the air and on the sea, has glorified again the name New Zealander. Tlie spirit of adventure, the nerve to dare, the strength to strive against odds, the will to try again when daunted—those qualities are inborn in New Zealanders.

“We find them personified in our pioneers, in our Anzacs, the First Expeditionary Force, whose honour and glory is your inheritance. You are worthy successors to carry high the national banner. “To you who are going to the fields of battle I know that I can say that you are being farewelled by a proud and grateful people. 1 hope that wherever duty lakes you you will be given the courage, the strength, and the determination to uphold and advance those British and New Zealand.traditions of which we are all so proud. People today salute you. You young men caught by this great hour have risen to its challenge. I am sure your response has touched the hearts and imagination of our people. It is an action in defence of freedom, justice, and liberty that will, I am sure, win a real basis for world peace, world justice, and world liberty, God speed to you all. May we at home prove worthy of your trust while you are away. I know that you will prote worthy of ours—and of the honoured name, New Zealand.”

CROSS AND SWASTIKA

Mr. Perry’s Reference

The official farewell 21 months ago in the same grounds to the New Zealand contingent of 1400 returned soldiers, which went to Australia on a goodwill visit for the sesqui-centennial celebrations, was recalled by tire Dominion president of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association. Mr. Ferry, M.L.C. On Anzac Day, 1038, Anzacs marched again in Sydney and they were to have marched together again in New Zealand on Anzac Day. 1940, said Mr. Perry. However, fate had decreed otherwise, and their Australian comrades would march elsewhere with the New Zealanders. “They will inarch with you in uniform, much to the eventual discomforture of Herr Hitler.” said Mr. Perry, “and their visit to New Zealand is only postponed. They will be accompanied, we hope, by many men of the Second A.I.F. and many nursing sisters who will serve witli that force, and they will come to New Zealand in enemy ships,, that Is, if there are any enemy ships then unscuttled by Hitler the scuttier.” Already, Mr. Perry said, many airmen 'from New Zealand, Australia and Canada had gone overseas. The whole of the Ist. Canadian Division had recently arrived in England. Now it was New Zealand's turn to send the advance guard of her second Expeditionary Force and Australia's turn to send the advance guard of her Second A.1.F., aud so from the far-flung outposts of tlie British Empire the men who loved freedom and were prepared to fight for it would hasten over all the Seven Seas, under the protecting wing of the Royal Navy, to the point where danger was most menacing. ( ' “It is your privilege as citizens of New Zealand to help to defend that Empire, of which New Zealand forms a part, and a most vulnerable part, for if this war should result in a triumph for tile powers of evil —which God forbid —and I think He will forbid it, New Zealand will be without doubt one of the prizes and will .become a German colony.” said Mr. Perry. The Cross and Swastika. "Men of the First Echelon, you will be fighting for something -even more than the freedom of this small nation. This monster who rules Germany lias torn down the Cross of Christ from its altars and erected in its place the swastika, or the crooked cross of paganism. You don’t need to read in books what you are fighting for or what our war aims are. You know that you are fighting to rid Europe and the world once and for all of the terror and menace of Nazi ruthlessness and Nazi paganism.” As Dominion president of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association, Mr. Perry, assured the troops that their

interests would be watched in their absence and he hoped that on their return they would strengthen the organization of the U.S.A. He expressed the wholehearted confidence of returned men that the present troops would worthily uphold the traditions of Anzac. “From the old Diggers to the new, good luck to you all, boys, and may you all come back covered with glory,and with increased honour to New Zealand,” Mr. Perry concluded.

PETONE MAYOR ENLISTS

The mayor of Petone, Mr. George London, a son of a I’etone pioneer and former mayor, has enlisted for service in the Special Force. Mr. London is a bachelor and New Zealand’s youngest mayor. Large crowds also lined the streets in Auckland and Christchurch yesterday to faa-ewell troops, more than 2000 of whom paraded in each city.

SPECIAL TRAINS FOR TROOPS

Crowds At Wellington Railway Station

Hundreds of people thronged the Wellington railway station and all adjacent vantage points yesterday morning and watched three special trains arrive from Trentham. with troops of the First; Echelon of the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force, who were officially farewelled from the steps of Parliament House. The day was particularly busy for the station staff, and six specials were required for troop movements between Wellington and Trentham.

People anxious to see the troops flocked to Wellington from all the outer suburbs, and inward trains from the Hutt Valley and Johnsonville were all full when they arrived at Wellington. On many trains additional accommodation was provided, but even with extra cars some of tlie services were taxed to capacity. Suburban trains from Paekakariki and intermediate stations were also heavy.

Even before 9 o’clock a large crowd had assembled at: the station, but: the platform barriers were closed and when the troop trains arrived there was no congest ion. After Ihe route march through the city streets the soldiers assembled at the station agaiu and re-' turned to Trentham by three specials. An even greater crowd assembled io watch Um departure of these trains. An otlicial said yesterday that even during tlie peak of the holiday rush periods he had never seen such crowds at the station. Tlie Central District Mobilization Camp, Trentham, was open to visitors yesterday afternoon, and approximately 1500 people from Wellington availed themselves of the opportunity of seeing their soldier relatives and friends. They travelled early in Hie afternoon by two special trains, and specials were also required to return them to Wellington later in the day.