WORTHY WAR EFFORT

Evening Star, Issue 23503, 17 February 1940, Page 21 (Supplement)

WORTHY WAR EFFORT

Netv Zealand’s Assistance in 1914-18 Period PEOPLE UNITED WITH BRITAIN Gallant Deeds and Self-sacrifice Comparable with the highest traditions of Britisli history was the record of New Zealand during the Great War of 1914-18. The gallant deeds and self-sacrifice of her sons arc emblazoned on the scroll of fame, and will ever live in the memory of the nation. The bearing of our men in action, however, would have availed little without the loyal support of the general public, and in all essentials New Zealand emerged from the greatest trial in the history of the world with a record that stands high in the annals of the Empire to which she belongs. The farthest outpost of the Empire and the farthest removed from the many theatres of war, she subordinated all interests to the one great cause, and maintained her generous response to the end of the war. The ties of kinship to the Mother Country were proved to be of the finest and strongest material by the searching test of war.

The outbreak of war found New Zealand in a state of semi-preparedness; she was still in the midst of her work upon a newly-inaugurated scheme for the organisation of her defence forces. This scheme had its foundation in the Defence Act of 1909, which established the principle of universal training. The territorial organisation was complete and her forces fairly well trained, her coast defences effective, the details well forward in connection with the despatch on a purely voluntary basis of an expeditionary force, which had been promised the Mother Country in the event of war. When the call came in 1914 the work of recruiting was undertaken with the utmost vigour. All classes threw themselves heart and soul into the work of raising men and money to meet what was recognised immediately as the supreme test of our free Empire.

The history of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force began on August 7, 1914, when the New Zealand Government cabled to the Imperial Government offering the services of a headquarters staff of a division of two bri. gades, one of mounted rifles and the other of infantry. This offer was accepted on August 14, and the mobilisation and concentration of the men and horses began immediately. It might be said that, on the day when the Main Body force of over 9,W0

sailed to the aid of the Motherland, New Zealand achieved nationhood. It was the first great expression of her Imperial obligation, and, although her effort was to reach the then un-dreamed-of total of over 100,000 men, it was no mean achievement to despatch, within two months after the acceptance of her offer of aid, an equipped force of over 9,000. Almost month by month till the end of the war a regular supply of reinforcements was sent overseas to keep the forces up to strength, the Dominion, by the beginning of 1916 maintaining abroad a full division of three brigades of infantry, a brigade of mounted troops, a nursing service, two hospital ships, and numerous other units.

As the war dragged on the serious nature of the task and the absolute necessity of united effort was realised from one end of the country to the other with an earnestness that was intense. Political parties sank their differences, and a strong Coalition Government was formed. The people became the driving force, constantly compelling Parliament to ever-iucrcas-ing action. Hie cry lor universal service two years after the outbreak of war came, not from the Government, but from the largest, section of the people, who wore determined that the effort to save all should come from all. 'lhose who sought popularity by

raising objection to the Military Service Act of 1916 found themselves swept aside by the surging tide of patriotism.

In all New Zealand supplied 91,941 volunteers and 32,270 under the Military Service Act from (he outbreak of war to November 12, 1918. When the Armistice was granted by the Allied Powers, a total of 124,211 of file pick of New Zealand's manhood, from an eligible male population of under 250,000, had been called to serve with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. Of those who left on the great adventure nearly 17,000 lie in the hallowed grounds of Egypt, Gallipoli, France, Palestine, Mesopotamia, Samoa, and elsewhere, after making the supremo sacrifice in the cause of freedom and civilisation. Over 41,000 suffered wounds or injury.

It is only by comparison with the response of the oilier great Dominions to the Empire’s call that one may adequately realise the proud position that New Zealand holds in (he history of the Great War. While New Zealand provided service troops equal to 19.35 per cent, of her male white population, Canada sent 13.48 per cent., and Australia 13.43 per cent. These figures are far more illustrative than volumes of jingoistic laudation.

The amount of energy and organisa. tion required to change a peaceful I agricultural land, with a scattered population, into a concentrated armed camp, was enormous. The gradual evolution of Trentbam and Feafherston as lingo centres of military activity whose antennae searched every remote corner to bring in recruits, the guidance ol every possible small stream into a swollen river of supplies, uniforms, munitions, and medical comforts, and the organisation of hospital staffs for field and ships, meant immense labour, forethought, and worry. Much credit was due to those necessarily detained on this home service, for their task was most arduous. Another problem of almost equal importance and difficulty was the maintenance of a steady transfer of the Dominion's foodstuffs to Great Britain, and, although a number of vessels were sunk by enemy action, this was successfully accomplished, a tribute to the untiring and valuable work of the merchant marine and the Navy. War loans amounted to £81,668,670, of which no less than £66,198,626 was raised within the Dominion, and enormous sums wore given to the patriotic hinds and Belgian relief funds. Never should (lie women’s share in flio sacrifices made by the Dominion he forgotten. It can he realised with what feelings of dismay mothers, j

1 wives, sisters, and sweethearts saw I those nearest and dearest to them embarking lor warfare in lands separated by over 14,000 miles of sea. However heroic the spirit of its men, the nobility and self-sacrifice of New Zealand women were greater testimony of the spirit, faith, and loyalty of its people. Throughout the long period ol the war, too. women toiled unceasingly in the work of providing extra clothing and comforts for their men abroad. General Godley’s tribute to the New Zealand soldier is worthy of reproduction:—“Throughout the war I had the honour to command the New Zealand Expeditionary Force,’’ he writes, “ and my nine years’ experience of command of the New Zealand Military Forces convinces me that the New Zealand soldier is all that a soldier should be. He combines all the best qualities of the British soldier with a sturdy colonial independence. After a very short time he realised the necessity for discipline and was always amenable to it, and bis valour, steadiness, initiative, and endurance were all that could be desired. Moreover, be left behind him in Europe a reputation for kindliness, uprightness, and gentlemanly,' conduct of which he may well be ; proud. Mv recollections of my nine voars’ service with the New ZeafI landers are of the happiest of my life.!’ And now the Empire, including New Zealand, in resistance to aggression is at war again; but that struggle, which is only at its beginning, canijot be treated bere. PART IN SOUTH AFRICAN WAR

r fn tlio (Invs of the South African War, too, .New Zealand showed her loyalty in deeds as well as in .words and rallied, like all the other colonies, ■to the help of the Motherland.’ On September "28, 1899, the New Zealand I Parliament, amid a thrilling scene of loyalty and patriotism, resolved to offer I to the Imperial Government . a conI tangent of mounted infantry, fnHly equipped for service in South Africa’. On September .‘3O a reply was received from the 'Right Hon. Joseph Chamberlain, the Secretary of State' for.the Colonies, accepting the offer should occasion arise for the use of such a contingent. At the same time the Homo CiDvernment expressed its appreciation of New Zealand's loyal and patriotic ofier—the first to be received from any of the colonies. Eleven days later Hrilain was at war with the' Roers, and the first contingent was gathered together with remarkable promptness. I hough the farthest removed from the Old World, New Zealand was the first of the colonies to despatch troops to le contingent leaving from Wellington on October 21, 1899, the anniversary of Trafalgar, with a strength of over 200 men and horses. The second contingent, comprising 212 men and .'3(H) horses, left on January 20, 1900. Right other contingents fo'llowcd in regular succession before the end of the campaign. Altogether 6,500 men wont from these chores to comprise a force which was remarkable for its smartness and which was not long in the field before it gained the praise of the higher command for its fine horsemanship and coolness under fire. *