THE TROOPS

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 74, 24 September 1914, Page 3

THE TROOPS

FAREWELL TO AUCKLAND SECTION PRIME MINISTER'S SPEECH. ' (BI TKUEQRAFH.— PRESS ASSOCIATION.) AUCKLAND, 23rd September. Opportunity wae taken to-day by th© Prime Minister to say farewell to the Auckland section "of the Expeditionary Force. The troops marched to the Domain, where a crowd of a,bout 14,000 collected, and here addresses were delivered by Mr. Massey and Mr. C. J. Parr, Mayor. Owing to the rain the speechee were very short. After the ceremony the troops marched through the main streets, where they were cheered by the great crowds. In the course of his speech Mr. Massey said : "New Zealand may be only a small country with a comparatively small population, but, nevertheless, it is not an unimportant part of the British Empire. In this crisis, the most serious ever experienced in the history ,of Brita-in, New Zealand has made up lie mind to do its 'duty to the Empire just as the Empire is doing its duty to humanity by protecting the weaker nations of' the world against tyranny. In a short time from now there will leave our ah ores for the scenes of th© wa-r the very pick ol our male population — young New Zealanders •who will proceed to the other side of the world to meet Britain's enemies in battle in countries where, centuries ago, ancestors of New Zealanders held their own in many a fierce struggle. "That you will do as well as your forefathers I have not the very least doubt,"' said Mr. Massey. "That you will do your country credit wherever you are, I feel sure. * I have no doubt that by and by you will find yourselves with English, Scotch, and Irish troops, and with, force* representing other Dominions of the British Empire, and with the men who, during the last few weeks, have flung back the enemy from the very gates of Paris, every one of them willing to risk his life for his.' country and lot humanity. You will find men therefrom eun-scorched India, from the plains of Canada, from the great Australian bush, from th« wide spaces of South Africa, as well a* yonr fellows from thes» islands of New Zealand. You will see what the world has. never seen before — men of almost every clime, language, race, and creed bound together by one idea, one belief, that within th« British Empire and under the British flag there is more justice, morality, and freedom than have ever been found in any othet nation. In consequence of that belief score* of millions of , men have made up their minds to keep the Empire intact, to resist tyranny and oppression, to the uttermost, and to keep flying the flag that ha* braved a thousand years of battle and breeze, the emblem of truth and right and justice and everything that makes for the betterment of humanity. "You will encounter many hardships," continued the Prime Minister, "not only on the scene- of operations, but on the way thereto, but remember that you ate enjoying the privilege of making history. In ages to come millions of people will read with interest of the great events that are taking place to-da.y, and I hope that, they will also read of how New Zealanders distinguished themselves. You will have the privilege of striking hard for right and liberty, and against tyranny, and we know that that privilege i& safe in your hands. "We commend you to the protection of Him without whose knowledge not even a. sparrow can fall to the ground. I hope that this cruel war will soon come to an end., but it must be peace with honour or no peace at all. I hope that in the not far distant future we will have the pleasure of welcoming you back home again. On behalf of the people of New Zealand, I wish you God speed. May God bless you."