FOR THE FRONT

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 47, 24 August 1914, Page 8

FOR THE FRONT

CITIZEN SOLDIERS IN CAMP > QUALITY OF THE MEN AT PALMERSTON EAGERNESS TO SERVE-. " WE WANT TO BE IN IT."

(FROM OtIR SPECIAL BBPORTBR.) PALMERSTON N., This Day. Palmerston North these days bears quite a martial appearance. There is war in the air, so to speak — not war in the air in tho sense of aerial naval battles, but in the^ signs on every hand that war is on and New Zealand's soldier sons are about to take an active part in it. Everywhere in the evenings and on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, when the troops get leave from the A.wapuni concentration camp, there is to be seen the soldier in his khaki uniform — parading, the streets, patronising the shops and various places of refreshment and amusement, going in atid out of houses where he is invariably welcomed, and driving about in taxi-cabs, motor- buses, and vehicles of all descriptions. These are are the "liberty men," and when they are not in evidence large bodies of troops arc occasionally to be witnessed passing through the Square bound for the rifle range or engaged in route marching. All this, of course, might happen in time of peace, but in tho present case there is the marked difference that the whole of the men in question have volunteered for the front in Europe, where the greatest war in history is now proceeding, and the seriousness of the business is reflected in their demeanour The change in the town itself is equally apparent. In almost every shop window appear the national colours or the national flag, many of the citizens are wearing red, white, and blue, and everywhere the war is the sole topic of conversation. But this does not present the whole of the picture. Palmerston at the same time is crowded with " visitors, the mothers and sisters and fathers and brothers of the troops, who are seeing as much of them as possible before they leave for Europe. A FINE BODY OF MEN. It is a strange atmosphere, an atmosphere which is tinged with the sadness of farewell, but which is nevertheless pervaded with the cheerful confidence of the people in 'the ultimate outcome of the r struggle, and by an unmistakable pride in the quality of the troops concentrated at Awapuni. They are certainly a fine body of men, broad-shoul-dered, stalwart, lithe, able-bodied young fellowsj than whom New Zealand has never sent a better contingent abroad. The mounted rifles and infantry are mainly drawn from the Hawkes Bay, King Country, Taranaki, Wairarapa, and Manawatu districts, and comprise mqn fresh from the farm, the bush, and artisans, and include not a few who have seen service with the Imperial Army at Homo, in South Africa, India, and in various other parts of the world. They comprise men of all shades of society — squatters' sons, small farmers' sons, the sons of professional and business men in the smaller towns, men of independent means, and men in various other walks of life. They include many of the "'specials" who acted in Wellington during the time of the strike, and with sufficient training can certainly be reckoned upon to give a good account of themselves in Europe. "The only trouble we shall have with them," remarked an Imperial officer yesterday, "will be to hold them from dashing too impetuously at the enemy, but that will come with time and experience. When they return they will be the smartest and best 'troops you have seen in New Zealand." WHY THEY VOLUNTEERED. The remark has a bearing on the statement that many of' the , men would not have volunteered had they known that they were to be sent to Europe. Enquiries made showed' that this suggestion is indignantly resented by the men. One officer pointed out that the enlistments had been rather slow in coming in until it was announced that European service was intended, and that from then onwards enrolment proceeded vigorously. "I would not have enrolled myself for garrison duty i.i India or Egypt," said the speaker. "That would only have meant constant drill and we should have been left out of the fighting. You see we want to be in it." The last sentence certainly expresses the attitude of the men, and is actuated not only out of a sens© of patriotism but also by a desire to take an active part in the great drama, and to help in overcoming the enemy of Europe and of the world's peace. The remark in a letter written by Robert Torrens, an officer in the British Army, after the Battle of Waterloo, 99 years ago, aptly states tho feelings of many of New Zealand's sons who are now in camp upon the Aw^^utii race' course : "I would not for any consideration not have been in it; it will be a battle deferred to in history for ages as deciding the fate of Europe." These sentiments, while applying to the mounter rifles and infantry drawn from the Wellington country districts, also apply with equal force to the artillerymen and other New Zealand soldiers in various arms of the service who have assembled at Palmerston North from all parts of New Zealand. The whole of the men, numbering now slightly over 2500, are eager to go and are demonstrating the fact by ' their keenness for work and their excellent conduct, knowing that unless they acquit themselves well they are liable to be thrown ouf>, and there are plenty of others only too willing to fill their places. WORK OF THE CAMP. The woTk of the camp is proceeding vigorously. On Saturday, when the weathor was again beautifully fine, the infantry battalion, numbering 1000 strong, was again taken out to tho Hokowhitu Tange for musketry instruction under Captain Rose, and as the men"*- swung by their swinging stride and compact lines evoked the approval of many spectators. The infantry battalion is being exercised in this way each day, firing ball ammunition at service targets and at a collapsible steel target 12in square, tho idea being to accustom tho men to their rifles. Up to the preterit the results achieved have beon perfectly satisfactory, though some ol them have demonstrated that they have yet a lot to learn m the caro and use of a rifle. As Kipling, the soldier's poet, is exceptionally popular in New Zealand military circles just now, it is reported that the booksellers in both* Wellington and Palmerslon> North have run out of copie.s of Iris military poems, the following quotation upon his advice to "ycamg British soldiers" in the matter of rifle shooting wlil bo appreciated : When 'arf your bullets. fly wide in the ditch, Don't call your Martini a cross-eyed » old witch ; . ShVs human a* you are — you treat her , .as sich, ' . An' she'll fight for tho young British . soldier.' v The infantry men are also being instructed in the use of the machine guns which hays had new fcanxlß put in and

have been thoroughly overhauled and tested on the rifle range. The mounted squadrons in camp, numbering some 650 officers and men, are also being regularly drilled and taken out for route marches, etc., while the field artillery with their 18-pounder guns, the divisional and brigade ammunition columns, the field engineers, signallers, and army service corps, who make up th» balance of the Awapuni establishment, are likewise settling down to solid training. • SUNDAY IN CAMP. Yesterday was another glorious day in camp. The morning broke fine and clear, and in the beautiful sunshine and invigorating air the whole of the men were early astir and busied themselves in airing their tents and clothing and tidying up generally in the expectation of receiving numerous guests in the afternoon. Church parade was held at 11 o'clock, the whole of the men being divided into four denominations, Anglican, Nonconformist, Roman Catholic, and Salvationists. The services were conducted by the various chaplains, and were specially _ impressivoj the men joining heartily in the Ringing of the hymns, notably in that of "Rock of ages" and the National Anthem. The Anglican service, which was held in the big grandstand, was the largest, baing attended by 1400 officers and men. In the afternoon the camp was thrown open to the public, and, although the site is close upon, three miles distant from the town, the major portion of the population turned out. Throughout the afternoon, which was like a. warm summer's day, the road was one constant stream of traffic, being covered with motor-cars, motor-buses, and drags and vehicles of all descriptions. Many of the visitors came from distant parts of- the Wellington military district, mostly by motor-cars, which were left at the entrance. At half-past' 3 it was estimated that there must have been upwards of 7000 visitors on the ground. Outside the gates stretched a succession of closely-packed vehicles,, including some 400 motor-cars fully half a mile long — a spectacle which those who caw it will not readily -forget. The time was spent pleasantly by the visitors in inspecting the camp and in conversing with the men, who were uncomplaining and in the best of spirits. The Palmerston North Salvation Army Band played a number of selections, including "Rule, Britannia," and "Afton Water," and concluded with the hymn "God Be With You till We Meet Again." Towards 4 o'clock the visitors began to disperse, and the camp soon assumed ite normal state.