“TO CAMP, TO CAMP!”

Evening Star, Issue 16225, 21 September 1916, Page 6

“TO CAMP, TO CAMP!”

DEPARTURE OF TWENTYFIRST DRAFT. OTAGO’S QUOTA FAREWELLED. POSSIBLE SHORTAGE OF SIXTY. The bugles of England were blowing o’er the sea, As they had called a. thousand years, calling now to me; v They woke me from dreaming in the dawning of the day, The bugles of England—and how could I stay!

The banners of England, unfurled across the sea, Floating out upon the wind, were beckoning to me; Storm-rent and battle-torn, smoke-stained and 'grey, The banners of England—and how could I stay ? 0, England, I heard the cry of those that died for thee. Sounding like an organ-voice across the winter sea; They lived and died for F.ngland, and gladly wont their way, England, 0, England—how could I stay ? J. D. Burns.

These verses were quoted with fine effect by' Chaplain-captain Graham Balfour, of First Church, at the civic farewell this morning to the Otago quota of tho 21st Reinforcements and prospective n.c.o.s of other drafts, who left for the training camps. They were written bv a Victorian lad, 30 years of age, who was killed in action at Gallipoli almost exactly a vear ago. He was the son of a clergyman, an intimate friend of the chaplain-captain’s; ho was one of the best sports in his college, and was a lad of fyie character, with promising literary gifts. The sentiment in the verses reveals the true spirit of voluntaryism.

The farewell did iiot differ materially from the majority of the score of similar functions during tho past two years. Spring was in the sky and the answering earth, and also in the hearts of the people. The City was beflagged, and although the crowd was less numerous than on sonic previous occasions there was nothing m the spirit, enthusiasm, pride, and quiet sympathy of the people. The quota was not up to the strength. As a matter of fact, it was decidedly under, and at the moment of writing ft appeared probable that there would bo a total shortage for the whole district of not less than 60 men. The southern quota, under Sergeant-major W. 0. Bishop, arrived by tho second express, and, as usual, were appreciatively entertained _at morning tea by the Otago Women s Association, in whom onr soldiers have thoughtful friends. At Invercargill there had been a shortage of 29, but the draft at Milton reduced .it by 8, that group being that number in ex'ccss of its obligations. Tho Dunedin quota, which was addressed at the Drill Hall by Colonel E. R. Smith, Y.D., and Mrs Mndic, mustered nine short. The most serious shortage is anticipated at Oamaru. Major Molkr marched the Dunedin men through the City shortly after 11 o'clock, the column was headed by the 4th Regiment Band, under Lieutenant George, and their presence made all tho difference between duilnss and brightnss. They played mth fine spirit, as though affected bv ‘the brilliant sunshine. The' band 'themselves have a fine "war record. At 11.20 Lieutenant Dobson brought tits southern men from tho Early Settlers’ Hall to A mac square, where the quota was larewelled by the public. Tlie Mayor {Mr J. J. Clark) was accompyird by the Rev. Graham Balfour and City councillors, Colonel J. fowie-Xichols (officer commanding tho district), Mafor A. C. Cooper (General Staff officer). Captain R. X. Eraser, Lieutenant Myers, and other officers of tho district were in attendance, The proceedings opened with tho pinging of the Rational Anthem. The Mayor said ; Wo aro met to say good-bvc and God-speed to the men of tho 2ist Reinforcements. In these times of stress and strain events ' move with startling rapidity. Month by month men gather in this square to say good-bye and goad luck to heroic men who are going out in the might of their manhood to fight in Urn cause which wo Hold dear. To-day it is the 21st draft that aro off to the training camps, and we have no doubt that the valor of these men will match the magnificent achievements of the men of Anzac. Let us show our, appreciation of those men In- giving three ringing cheers, j k-jj 19 crowd responded by cheering

Proceeding, His Worship said : Wli'ui, ■tiw earli'T drafts Went- to tl;o war they bracer! themselves to face a fno whose fighting power_was f ,-. talked about ns to ii.timidate half world. Jill honor to our pioneer soldiers, who daimtlessly dared the great Bully to come nut and show v hat ho could do. One thing bo C onld not do. and that was to frighten our felimvs, They stood aloncside the dogged British and the_ valiant French and forced him to _show his. .best form. Tha’t is the glory of the men whom we first sent away, itqnal honor is yours 1 in preparing yourselves for the finishing strokes of this unparalleled war. lou know what you are up against. Pressed to the war, the German is fighting fiercely—-he in fighting to preserve the reputation with which" lie overawed his neighbors of the Continent—ho is fighting for his very life, like a rat ,a . a *' ra P’ an< ? biting and scratching as wildly, mad. with rage, caring neither for honor nor fair play. When 'pushed back to his frontier the German’s desperation hj" f ven more devilish and maniacal, lhat is the sort of enomv von are going to meet, and you know the job of taming dm tiger is work for men. But that doc-s not dismay you. Napoleon is credited with saying something to the effect that the truly brave soldier is the one who sees the peril_ and sticks to his duty, ion como within that definition. Yon are .1 iu a hght. That you have tiro right spirit is proved by your coniine In \oluntavily. That you will quit yourselves like men is our confident belief. Bo are sure that you will i n nit vour deeds, on the battlefield and elcewliere, maintain the good name of New Zealand! and he a credit to the dear old Flag under which. you fight. (Applause.) Having full taith in yon. we wish you God-speed and good luck arid a safe return to our beloved land to receive the welcome that you wiil have earned. Bo panoplied by tho certainty that you are on the winning side. Pnissianism is doomed. (Applause.-) It still fights, but tho great advantage on which it plumed itself at the outset of tho war—its power of calculating and planning everything—is now the subject of derision. The Kaiser’s calculations forsooth. Where are thev to-day? All proved to be wrong. He calculated that Britain would not fight, and she is fighting. Ho calculated that Germany would win in six months, and at tho end of four times six months she is not holding her ground. He calculated that as his army had been preparing for 40 years it was invincible, and to and behold' it is bailed up and shoved back by an army that tvqs created inside of two years. He calculated that he could govern tho world, and he forgot God, and he _ and his will meet the fate of all such impious blasphemers. In the days to come you men of the 22nd will deem it the chief glory of your lives to have taken a hand in ridding the world of a horror that threatened to blot out all that' is worth living for. We owe you gratitude for addressing yourselves to kbe. task. Wo shall follow' you with our blessing.*. We shall look for your return a* victors with a murel wreath crowning your brow. With full faith in von we wish you God-speed and good luck We trust that the day will soon come when you will be able to come back to the warm w'elcome you deserve from the loving hearts tliat wait von. ‘Men. good-bye and rood luck, (Applause.)

J Chaplain-captain Graham Balfour com I gratulated the men on their heroic de- | oision to go forth and do battle for their King and their Empire and for all of us. The decision perhaps had been hard, and it may have taken a long time to make, but now that it had been, made they were going forth, he felt sure, with determination and courage to do their duty. (Applause.) Here lie quoted the verses given at the head of this column, and expressed his confident belief that the men before him had been actuated in their decision by the same splendid sentiment. He voiced the sympathy of the people with the relatives of the men, and also with the men in leaving so much behind that was dear to them. It was the duty of the people to attend to the needs of those who had made and were making such a splendid self-sacrifice. (Applause.) “ I give, you a word of warning,” Air Balfour added. “ There are dangers ■ and difficulties, and there are battles and temptations of which you have no conception before you. And so we ask you to be worthy soldiers of the King and worthy of the cause we represent. The Prime Alin is ter of Australia has been saying what others have already said : that this is a great religious war. Now, if we are fighting for God, truth, honor, aid righteousness, then it becomes us to bo ourselves honorable and true and righteous and pure and worthy of the cause which we - represent. Therefore, men, endure hardship as good soldiers of the Fling, as of the Divine King, follow Christ the King. Live pure, speak truth, right wrong, and foilo w the King.” (Applause.) Air Balfour in simple prayer commended the departing soldiers to the guidance, protection, and love of God. The public showed their appreciation of the volunteers by heartily singinsr ‘ For They Are Jolly Good Fellows.’ Iho men entrained rapidly, and the train moved out. on time. Lieutenant’ Hamilton, with Sergeantmajor Timmings. went up m cliargo of the men. Captain G. P. G'ow was the medical officer accompanying the draft.