OFFICIAL FAREWELL

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 92, 20 April 1938, Page 17

OFFICIAL FAREWELL

CORDIAL SPEECHES

GREAT DEEDS RECALLED

After rthe ceremony at the Cenotaph, at which the Port. Nicholson Silver Band, which had led the parade, played "Nearer My God to Thee," the contingent marched from the Quay up Molesworth: Street to the Parliamentary grounds, where the Prime Minister (the Rt; Hon M.'JrSavage), Ministers of the Crown,; members of Parliament, and others were assembled on the steps of Parliament Buildings for the official farewell. The arrangements in the Parliamentary grounds were in the hands of the Under-Secre-tary of Internal.Affairs ./(Mr., J.-; W. Heenan), and everything:-worked smoothly. Shortly, .after the: contingent had assembled-before.'the steps, Mr, Savage took,, his' place^and ■ was received :with cheers, cries'of "good old Mick," "good old Joe," and expressions of good will.: Other^ cheers were.heard as Ministers appeared, the Minister of Public Works (the Hon. R. Semple)' being greeted with cheers and familiar greetings to "Bob," interspersed with queries regarding the absence of medals on the steps.

When his Excellency the GovernorGeneral (Lord Galway) appeared, vociferous cheers broke out in the ranks, and for.some seconds.it appeared doubtful if the contingenters.would stop hailing the representative of their King. -.However, the strains of the National Anthem brought them all to j attention and as soon as the band had ceased his Excellency' addressed the parade. "It is a great pleasure for me to come here this" afternoon to say bon voyage and. good; luck to you who-are starting out for Australia," his Excellency began. "I am sure you will receive a very warm welcome indeed there. You will meet many old friends whom you knew "in the war years and will make many new friendships. - I am sure you will thoroughly enjoy.'yourselves." The contingent was going to Australia to celebrate Anzac Day, his Excellency continued, a day of memories^ both proud and sad; a day,when they' would remember how the flower of the Dominions' manhood had landed on the shores of Gallipoli at a time when lightning decisions had to be made and carried out with great daring.

"Those deeds will never be forgotten so long as we admire deeds ■ of; courage," he said. In conclusion, his Excellency expressed his good wishes to. the, contin-j gent and the hope that they.rwould; bring back many pleasant.roetriories;.^'* was again cheered to^fae^eejKi;'

"Good old Michael!" was.roared from' the ranks when''the Prime .'Minister rose to his feet. ■' •

"I count it a privilege to be here today to say good-bye to our good friends, the returned soldiers who make, up this contingent," Mr. Sayage said. "They are going from our shores as ambassadors,to take part in a service that will commemorate great men

and ■ great deeds, and that 'word Anzac.

r; ''Speaking to the men personally, I would- say. the Government is proud of you and your association, which is mainly responsible for.: the ; organisation that;has made !it..possible for.such ■a v fine .body; of 'men—(cheers and laughter)—to. leave New Zealand on such/ an/occasion. . Wait.a minute,. I haven't finished yet. We will be Here when.;you,home' back and will be^glad to welcome you. There are occasions "when- men-leave their.country for" their country's-'good. (Laughter.) You leaye !;-tb.aay as ambassadors, and we have riot a regret that it has been possible to send you abroad."

Mr. Savage wished the contingent a happy trip and a happy time with their comrades in Australia. On Anzac Day, he said, there would be 50,000 men in the parade through Sydney, and the New Zealand contingent would be privileged to lead the;march past. New Zealand was proud Of that, and wished the contingent a safe journey across the Tasman and a safe return. MAYOR'S INVITATION TO AUSTRALIA. The Mayor of Wellington (Mr. T. C. A. Hislop) addressed the contingenters as a fellow "Digger." He wished them a good trip to Australia, and said that every New Zealander who had fought alongside the Australians in the Anzac Corps knew that nowhere in the whole world could stauncher comrades or braver men-be found- It was a great privilege to New Zealand returned soldiers to be given an opportunity to take part in the sesquicentennial celebrations of New South Wales, and to pay a tribute to fallen comrades along with their Australian comrades on Anzac Day. :Wl i-want^ou-vtb • ask.: the Australian H.S;A.'ih;:i9^o:}tp-come and. join with you. -in ■'■ marphing ■•, past' ■' our • War Memorial "here'duririg the'year which marks our Centennial," he said, his invitation being greeted with enthusiastic cheers.

In conclusion, Mr. Hislop said he regretted' -not -feeing - able., to accompany the contingent to Australia,' but he would be with his comrades in spirit. (Laughter.)

GENERAL RJJSSEEL'S REPLY. ' Replying on- behalf, 6i the contingent, General ft'ussell, who was cheered and greeted with "For He's ;il:a '. Jolly Good Fellow," arid cries of "Good., old Daddy," said that he did not./dbubt that if his Excellency were twenty years younger—(laughter)—and, shorn of the-dignities he so worthily upheld, he would be glad to accompany,/the contingent. ■ ■/"'; Addressing the Prime Minister,,; he said it was largely because of -the privileges granted by the Government .that .the pilgrimage had been made possible. (Cheers.) The Mayor had mentioned spirit but had not mentioned what kind, but they would take it in that spirit. (Laughter.) "I understand it is going to be a pretty severe campaign," the General said. "I have seen the operation orders for the first few days,, and it is going to be front-line .fighting.all the time. (Laughter.) However, I am assured there will be no, casualties this time, but if there are any we will not publish their names." (Laughter.) There could be no doubt, said Generalßussell, that dangers and hardships, formed a more lasting link'than prosperity, and they had formed a link with Anzac that was imperishable. They were not going ,to Sydney to establish a.brotherhood;,that,had been established on. the hills of :i .Anzac, in France, and\,on. the.; other '.fronts. It existed already ■as • everyone, knew full well;and. :they Avere/going, tp;,. celebrate iC! They were,also going to pay.'a; joint tribute/.tp: the^thoiisands' whoHfell in baoe;i krioWing •dhat^their deaths : and way of dying conferred such, inimitable lustre orr the name: of ,'Anzac. '■ ';•':

: After.' the. ,, farewells the . National Anthem: w?as played aga.in^;..aniiy;;the Governor-General was cheered as he waved farewell. The parade then moved off to dismiss at the railway station.