A MOTHER SPEAKS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 33, 8 February 1940, Page 12

A MOTHER SPEAKS

RECRUITING RALLY

ALL CAN SERVE

A mother's views in support of the present recruiting campaign were expressed at today's recruiting rally and community sing in the Town Hall by Mrs. H. M. Barnard, of Island Bay, who had six sons serving in the last war, and who has one son and two grandsons on active service with the New Zealand military forces today. Two sons lost their lives in the 1914-18 conflict and four were wounded. Colonel A. Cowles, chairman of the Wellington Area Recruiting. Committee, who introduced Mrs. Barnard, said that her sons were not sent to the last war; they volunteered. The speaker was given a rousing reception by the audience attending the rally, and her remarks were frequently applauded. Mrs. Barnard said that she was the direct descendant of pioneer grandparents who came to New Zealand in the Fifeshire, one of the first ships that came to Nelson, and that four generations of her family had been born in this country. "So you may rest assured that we have love for our country," :she said. She described some of the hardships of pioneering days she had, as a child, shared with her parents on the West Coast of New Zealand. "In 1914, as soon as war was declared my three eldest sons volunteered, and before August 12 they were all in camp," she said. "My fourth son volunteered and went away with the Fourth Reinforcement; my fifth son served with the 2nd Battalion of the Rifle Brigade; and my sixth son went,with the 28th. They all volunteered. (Applause.) They felt it was their duty to take up arms to help this beautiful land of ours that is worth defending. "I little thought after the last war that I would be called upon again, but at the present time my youngest son is in camp. My eldest grandson has been on duty at Fort Dorset since the war began, and my next eldest grandson is at Ngaruawahia. They all volunteered. (Applause.) We can't all go, but we all have a place to fill if we realise what there is to do." Mrs. Barnard related some of her war work during 1914-18 and told how she organised a sewing bee in the town of Eltham where she was then living to provide comfort for the soldiers. "MY DUTY TO HELP." "One of the boys came to me and said: 'I did not know the war was going to be so serious. I feel that it is my duty to go.' What answer could I give him? 'If you feel it is your duty to go, then it is my duty to help you do yours,' I said." (Applause.) Those not able to go could do their bit to help those who were fighting for us, Mrs. Barnard said. Everyone could make some sacrifice for the soldiers and those with means could learn something of the joy of giving.

"I can only say now England expects that every man, and every woman too, will do his and' her duty," she continued.' "The war really hasn't begun. We don't know what is in store for us, but let us make up our minds to do our little bit."

Mr. Gladstone Hill, one of the song leaders, said that Mrs. Barnard was an object lesson as a woman who loved, her country as well as she loved her own children. Before Mrs. Barnard left the platform the audience sang "For She's a Jolly Good Fellow" and cheered her.

The recruiting rallies will be continued tomorrow with another gathering in the Town Hall at 12.30 p.m.