THE SIXTEENTH DRAFT

Evening Star, Issue 16197, 19 August 1916, Page 8

THE SIXTEENTH DRAFT

'■ONE OF TIE BEST.

FINAL PARADE IN DUNEDIN.

A STIRRING RECEPTION.

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF IT ALL.

For they unweariedly must tramp At Freedom's oal! from camp to camp; And many a road for men to tread Must yet be guarded by their dead.

Kipling has said, as so many people •would have liked to say, that " this war is like an. iceberg. Only an eighth of it is above water. >The rest is out of sight, and, as with the berg, one guesses its extent by great blocks that break off and shoot up to the surfaoo from some underlying outrunning spur a- quarter of a mile away, so, with this war, sudden tales come to light which reveal unsuspected activities in unexpected quarters. One takes, it for granted such things are always going on somewhere, but, the actual emergence of the record is always astonishing."

And so even with the parade in- Dunedin this afternoon of eleven hundred infantrymen of the- Sixteenth Reinforcements. There need be no surprise . that much that is interesting in connection with the parade must remain out of sight. It represented only a bit of the great British berg of war; but it revealed unsuspected activities in unexpected quarters. And no one will deny that "the actual emergence of the record" was

astonishing. Ifc would be foolish to pretend that the parade was a military pageant comparable to historic demonstrations such as the almost delirious departure of the Fourth and Fifth Contingents for South Africa in 1900, or the welcome and never-to-be forgotten visit a year later of the gorgeous eight hundred Imperial troops with mighty names and traditions, or even the bravo outgoing loss than two years ago of tho first- draft of two thousand stalwart, men of Otago, with their splendid arms and equipment and their high hopes,to Egypt, to (.Jallopoli, to France. It ■ was never intended that the parade to-day should bo a pageant of arms, equipment, and men; it was arranged wisely (though tardily) to be a stimulating demonstration of physical fitness and a living proof of the thoroughness and profit of the system of military training at Trentham and Tauherinikau Uamps. As suck the parade was an unqualified success.

Up from South ?ens swiftly sailing,

Out. from wider stars I know not, Come they to fight for me Sons of the sons I ?K'tured.

Tho real value of the march to a community whoso opportunities for judging the methods of preparation in New Zealand for modern war have been scanty was in its fortifying significance and inspiriting lessons rather than in the excellent fitness of tho men, their rhythmical movements, their purposeful deportment, and their discipline. One saw at a glanco that, by a highly organised system of military training, over a thousand easy-going New Zealanders had been developed within an incredibly short period into Imperial soldiers, ready to man trenches with seasoned

warriors eager to maintain the traditions of the deathless British Army. And yet, and yet, tho splendid companies that stirred an vmdemonstrativo but warm-

hearted people this afternoon, and , lifted their spirits hign above depressing circum-

stances, represented only a portion of the

first drait of soldiers from New Zealand in the third year of a voracious war. And would a stranger from another .planet have believed, from the splendor of their physique and fitness, that they also represented the sixteenth draft of Xew Zcaianders since the 16th of October, 1914, that memorable day when close on ten thousand equally sturdy volunteers stealthily sped out of Wellington Harbor in ten grey transports, led by two powerful cruisers—the Minotaur and Ibuki—from Far Eastern seas? Is that not something to ponder over, %o be proud of, to voice'in grateful prayer? '*'

Then think for a moment of all that lies between that day and this: tlie steady, outgoing of efficient men trained and equipped to the Imperial standard, fit to hold their own against a nation, that has made war an essential business—all volunteers encouraged and inspired by the imperishable exploits of those thrice-gallant lads who unhesitatingly led the way to far countries; the glitter and glamor of Egypt, and a whiff of savago war in the desert; then the mad rush on impregnable Gallipoli and the mighty deeds that gave (as Bartlett Adamson, of Wellington, says so finely) the astounded world

ANZAC. By purple hills and opalescent eea And sunlit leagues of plain they lived, and

they Were summery-hearted all, and life was

£ a J> And peace was theirs, and love and

liberty. And wheo the clarion sounded suddenly They wont, a rollicking band of boys at

play, Tilted at doom, and there, at Anzac Bay, Died . . . but they taught the world

v.iiat men there be. And Anzac now is an enohanted shore; A tragio splendor, and a holy name; A deed eternity will still acclaim ; A. loss that crowns the victories of yore; A glorious golden .dome for evermore Shining above the "minarets of fame. Then, last of all, after the grim and tetter abandonment of comrades' graves within sight and sound of the JEgean Sea, tho long-desired / the long-deferred entry into the European Inferno. Truly the parade to-day was onlv a very little bit' of the- mighty berg of war, but enough to show the steady drift to the final crashing of the German ship of state. As the men marched easily and lightly* in the mud through a long, living lane, I there were many varied evidences of the wonderful significance of the parade and the mighty sendee it demonstrated. In the cheering crowds that filled the streets and. clung to every vantage point by the Tvay- I side were maimed and spent men who had already passed through the flame of war, to return and pee thousands march to fill the gaps ; in the hospitals wan soldiers were stirred to vivid memory by the familiar, inspiriting sound of men. marching tb conflict beyond the limit of mortal imagination; in the silent cemeteries on the hillsides were graves of Anzac heroes, their spirits for ever free from the clash of strife; at the saluting basewwass s an 1 officer who "redo hell for leather" with Britain's dauntless cavalry through. Germany's crack regiments in the first .clash

against onrushing hordes, and who is the modest holder of one of sis medals, equivalent to the V.C., presented to the British Army for valor by the Tsar -of All the Itussias. And there were the hundreds of proud citizens who could not cheer because of tears for and poignant memories of brave lads who passed this way 6o recently, marching to a man's death, for liberty. One sees them so gay only a little, more than a. year ago. Gallant men all—Arthur Bauchop, who led. the Otago Mounted Rifles in their dashing I attack along tho Chailak Dero; Bruce J Hay. tha beloved lender of tho "dandy fifth" squadron, recruited largely from the Otago Hussars ; Frark SUtham, " Bull'seye " Grant, and scores of others, who orj-co were so favorably known in peaceful sport, and who, as true sportsmen, played the game to the very end. All and move have passed bravely beyond the eager ways of men, and still the Great War takes toll of our bravest and best. So it should be. s-.> it shall be, to the end. "As one plume sinks another eager foot climbs the steep. Tho dead ever speak to the weary, ever cheer the brave. And thus, and thus, has New Zealand already tent 60,000 stalwart lads to the crucible of waT, and is prepared and willing to send as many more, so long a-s the "grey, old, weary ] Mother. thioncd. amid the northern I waters," calls :

God keep them, safe for me! There may have been many hundreds in the crowd who were disappointed at the absence of arms and equipment, but their grumbling was soon dispelled, for these sturdy sons of New Zealand, swinging with rare freedom' of limb, ajid glowing with health and enthusiasm, the pvodvtct of months of vigorous camp life and discipline, stirred admiration and quickened the dullest imagination. Before nil the flank guards had taken up their positions the stirring strains of the. 4th Regimental IJand heralded the approach of the parade. On the- last stroke of three the order was given, and the troop,? swung into column of route and headed for the City "at the quick," suggestive of their record-breaking march over the Rimutakas. A couple of minutes sufficed to take' them into King Edward street, where they met the first muster of hundreds of jubilant youngsters—the forerunner of the deafening cheering which greeted them all along the route. Almost before one quite realised it the khaki column had 'sped on, and had left behind it the cemetery,, the sanctuary of a few Anzacs, who. only yesterday, it seems, marched forth to war, fought—and died. But such thoughts as these wero only momentary, for was not the swift moving column—splendid in its grimness—the sure token that the spirit which animated the dead burned unquenchedly in the living, their avengers. The 1,100 marched as one man—past the Oval, past the cheering citizens on tho hills—on to the Octagon—Eyes Loft! Here was the &alufcing base, but a base stripped of customary ceremony. There wore no gleaming bayonets—tie secrecy of war again.

Cc-lonel J. Cowic Nichols, V.D., accompanied by Major Cooper, General Staff Officer, received the salute of each company. The- troops wore marching strictly at attention now, and discipline told. The Olago contingent had pride of place and led the way. Their reception was great in its warmth. But the ovation accorded the stalwart representatives of northern provinces was not less enthusiastic. 'Twas here that the troops were seen at their best—their magnificent bearing and steadiness being the finest possible tribute to the efficacy of a training scheme which has moulded our army. Soon the column was in the thick of the crowd again, and passed ■ through a lane of waving flags and other emblems of gratitude and appreciation. A march in front of the hospital brought them on the return journey, which was a repetition of their outward triumphal march. Dunedin had risen to the occasion, and the parade \ra.s a complete success. It wac all soon over. The Territorials and Cadets- had moved into Lower High street, and through the lane thus provided the khaki men marched on to tho Early Settlers' Hall.

A FINE DRAFT. ] THEIR WORK~AND MERIT PASSED BY A SEVERE CRITIC. It would doubtless seem exaggeration to say that the visiting infantry "are the best of the 16 drafts already "raised in New Zealand, for many mighty fine lads have left our shores on the Great Adventure, but one need not hesitate to assert that they are certainly among the best. The Chief of the General Staff (Colonel C. _M. Gibbon) says so definitely, and he is an Imperial officer, who insists upon a'higjh. standard, and who, as a sovero but just critic, is not given to praising soldiers lightly. Of the infantry who are with us to-day he says :

As for the infantry, their training has suffered considerably owing to the wet weather. The difficulty has been to get sufficient dry ground in the neighborhood of the camps. They have had to exercise on the roads -in consequence, and this has-gone against them. This applied to their advanced training particularly whilst at Featherston. Two tilings I am satisfied of aro that the physique of this draft and the spirit amongst the men are as good as any we have -yet sent. Their shooting creates a record for our reinforcement drafts, reaching a figure of merit of 114. The best, shooting company is C Company, with a figure of merit of 122.3. \Ve have never before attained such a standard. I account for it by the levelness of the men and by everyone having done his best.

The machine-gun draft is better trained than any we have sent before. We have had-more equipment, .and we have had more time available. The infantry signalling draft is also better trained than any other draft iir the past, which was proved by the work carried out last week. . I think they do ns credit. Addressing the men at Trcntham last week, Colonel Gibbon said : The mounted rifles, who have gone ahead of you, are a very good draft indeed—one of the best we have sent. As for the artillery and engineers, I have not yet received the detailed- reports about them, but, judging tho artillery by their practice last, week, I am satisfied that the artillery are equal to any draft that has gone previously.

The engineer draft is a good draft, and ■will do ns credit, I think. The engineer signal unit ia also well up to standard. jSTow, the. draft as a whole have ■worked well. Everyone has put his back into it, and there has been a proper spirit, but I do not ! want you to go with the idea that because you have done really well here there is any need to slack off on the, way. I think this draft had more fit men march over the hill in the infantry than any other draft. Not only did they have more fit men, but their performance in marching into this camp with practically ho men falling oiit proved what the draft is capable of. I want you to keep that up. I hope that when the draft reaches the. front it will have the highest reputation of any yet sent. As I have already said, it has begun well. Don't go to the other extreme and get swelled heads, but keep up your reputation. It is especially interesting to note that the four companies of the 16th Reinforcements, who swung through this City to-day took part in the_ record march over the Rimutakas, covering 27 miles of mountain road in a single day—a magnificent achievement.

THE PRIME MINISTER'S GREETINGS, , Tho Right Hon. the Prime Minister has csked us to convey his greetings to the troops in. the following message: Our boys, like thousands who at the Empire's call have gone before them, are going out to face danger and difficulty and hardship in the cause of their country and their fellow-citiasns. They are going in defence of that Civilisation, Libeeriy, and Freedom which have taken many generations of their ancestors to build xip, and which is now being attacked by a cruel and unscrupu- • lons foe. The best wishes of all New Zealanders go with them. We avo confident they will worthily uphold the honor of tho Dominion and tho reputation of the New Zealand troops, whose courage and military capacity have already been tested in attack and in defence.

I sincerely trust that they will bo m i at the finish, when the last fight takes ' place on German soil, and when ae a result victory will come to Great Britain and her valiant Allies l , assuring the peace of the world for many years to come. I can promise our soldiers that great as will be their send-off (and I am only sorry I cannot bo present to join with the patriotic citizens of Dunedin on thia occasion) it will be nothing to the reception which will await them on their re- j turn to the Dominion. ; Kai Ora, and best wishes. j

THE MINISTER OF DEFENCE'S EXCELLENT ADVICE. The Hon. James Allen eends the following:— The Sixteenth Reinforcements will shortly be leaving to reinforce the. New Zealand Division now serving at the front. The men who are about to go and the people of New Zealand know- what the < British Army and its Allies- have en- j dured and accomplished during the last I two years, i We New Zealandeis are proud of the bearing ;ind the- doings of our countrymen who have left our shores to take part in the great struggle, and we are . confident that the men 'who are about to go and tlie subsequent reinforcements will act up to and add to tho splendid traditions already won for our Homeland. Our last words to the Sixteenths are: Firstly, keep fit. Never let any enticement lead any man to sacrifice his fitness as a soldier on active service. Men of platoons and companies,— < Stand by one another, and let it be your pride that every man is ready at a moment's notice to fight. Your record so far is a very good one, and you will, I am sure, add to it and make your country more and more proud of you. Secondly, let the men and women you meet and the mates you fight alongside of realise by your every action that you come from a land where men love their homes, have high ideals, and are true to the best that is in them. Make a great name for yourselves and • the land you hold so dear. And, above all, remember that thosewho remain are ever thinking of you, and are eagerly awaiting- your home-coming when you have done the work you are setting out to do. Finally, I wish yon all a safe voyage, a happy meeting with ydur comrades at the front, protection wherever you may be, and a speedy return home again;

SIR JOSEPH WARD WISHES TROOPS GOD-SPEED. The Minister of Finance sends us this message:— As additional troops will shortly bo leaving our shores, 1 wish to take this opportunity of paying a. tribute to their splendid patriotism in sacrificing everything for the sake of King and country. New Zealand has reason to bo proud of her citizen soldiers, who have given ' ample evidence of their fighting qualities, not only at Gallipoli, where they performed deeds which will go down in history for all time, but also in Franco, where, fighting si<ro by 6ide with their British comrades and our French Allies, they have won undying fame for our .Dominion. I join with the people of Dunedin in wishing God-speed to the troops who will march through the streets of the southern city to-day.

FROM THE GENERAL COMMANDING.

Tho General Commanding the Forces (Sir Alfred W. Robin) sends us the following message of good-will:

I am sure that tho men of the 16th, now in Dunedin, will be equal to those who have gone before them. Their work and bearing while in training were excellent, and I wish thorn the best of luck.