IMPRESSIVE PARADE

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 138, 6 March 1940, Page 10

IMPRESSIVE PARADE

Enthusiastic Recruiting Rally In Dunedin MR. FRASERS APPEAL (By Telegraph—Press Association.) DUNEDIN, Marcli 5. One of Hie most impressive military parades seen in Dunedin for years, followed by an inspiring gathering in a Town Hall which was packed in every quarter, made tonight’s recruiting rally a memorable occasion which should result in a substantial increase in the number of enlistments for the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force in Dunedin and Otago. The list of speakers was headed by the Deputy-Prime Minister, Mr. Fraser, who placed New Zealand's position clearly before the audience and appealed first to young men to come forward and join the colours, and then to people generally to lend every aid within their power to the war effort. Other speakers were the Chief of the General Staff, MajorGeneral J. E. Duigan, Mr. . Waite, M.L.C., the M.P. for Dunedin North, Mr. Munro, Mr. J. M. White, president of the Returned Soldiers’ Association. and the mayor, Mr. Alleu, who presided. The military display comprised . a score of units and more thau 1300 officers and meu. and. during the marcli through the Octagon the salute was taken -by General Duigan. The atmosphere created in the streets was intensified by the vivid singing by Miss •Mary Pratt of such stirring songs as '“My Laud” and “Land of Hope aud Glory,” aud by a programme of music by the St. Kilda Band from the stage of the 'Town Hall. A vocifeyous interlude occurred with the arrival of five members of the crow of H.M.S. Achilles, who were given a boisterous impromptu welcome by Hie crowd in the middle of one of the speeches, and were later formally welcomed by the mayor, and congratulated by the Deputy-Prime Minister, who referred in glowing terms to the action at the River Plate and the conduct of the New Zealand ratings. Excesses of Cruelty. “It is only necessary to meet, as I did, the people who had suffered in German concentration camps, to appreciate the justice of our cause.” Mr. Fraser said. “Those people were taken from their homes and herded into camps like sheep. Many suffered the fate of sheep, and all were victims of excesses of cruelty which make one wonder bow any social, political or moral philosophy could allow such terrible deeds to be done.” Whole communities had been wrenched from their homes and shifted to other parts of Germany to suit the purposes of German industry, he said. They bird suffered ruthless and barbarous treatment from the cruel and despotic Government. When Great Britain decided to make a stand against the Nazi threat, said Mr. Fraser, New Zealand, in accordance with the principles which were an inherent part of the Dominion, immediately aligned herself with the Mother Country in the struggle of freedom against tyranny, democracy against tlie worst form of despotism. “We can t leave the struggle to young men alone, for we all have our place iu this great effort,” Mr. Fraser said. Britain needed foodstuffs, and there was a great call for the farmers of New Zealand to supply as much as they could. If they lifted their production theirs would be a great contribution to the Empire’s task. In workshops and factories skilled workers could prove their loyalty by doing their best. The same Das true for engineers and for workers on the waterfront. This was the time when it was absolutely necessary that the people of Britain, who had to suffer rationing of foodstuffs, should receive supplies as qflickly as possible. There were others who could serve as well as those who laboured —those who could assist iu any way had their tasks to perform. If Britain Went Down. “There is no better standard of living in any other country of the world than in New Zealand; surely it is worth fighting for,” Mr. Fraser said. If Britain were defeated and crippled economically New Zealand would become a backwash of the world, because it had to send overseas its surplus foodstuffs in exchange for commodities necessary in its industries. This country would lose its high standard aud would lose its protection against predatory Powers. The fate of Austria. Czechoslovakia, Poland aud Finland would overtake New Zealand it Britain went down. One of the most precious possessions of New Zealanders was their association with Hie British Commonwealth, which guarded the freedom, advancement, culture, standard of living and lives of its people. It was necessary for all according to their ability to do their utmost to overthrow tyranny, despotism and aggression and make certain of freedom and justice in this world and for ever.