TROOPS FAREWELLED

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 June 1940, Page 2

TROOPS FAREWELLED

GOOD WISHES FROM GREY

THIRD ECHELON DRAFT.

The final West Coast draft for the Third Echelon of the Expeditionary. Force left Greymouth by the express this morning, for Burnham camp. The draft comprised 40 men, including ■about 20 from the Grey district, and they were tendered the customary public farewells. At the Drill Hall, the attendance of the public was below the average, but there was the usual, large crowd at the railway station. During the short official farewell at the Drill Hall, the Grey district men were presented with gift parcels by the Mayoress (Mrs. F. A. Kitchingham) and Mrs F/ W. Shallcrass, on behalf of the Greymouth Women’s Patriotic Committee, and short farewell addresses were given by the Mayor and Mr G. G. M. Mitchell. The men then marched to the station, led. by the Greymouth Municipal Band, being applauded at several points by the staffs of business houses, who temporarily ceased work for the march past. Suitable selections were played at the railway station by the Band, and personal farewells were exchanged. As the train left the station, cheers were given for ' the troops, and the whistles of engines in the yard were blown. Addressing the men at the Drill Hall, the Mayor apologised for the absence of Mr J. O’Brien, M.P., who was absent in Wellington on parliamentary duties, and remarked that, in his place, Mr G. G .M. Mitchell, who controlled the district from Karamea to Jackson’s Bay for the Social Security Department, would say good-bye, on behalf of the people of the West Coast.

On behalf of the citizens of Greymouth, said the Mayor, he wished to tell the men that the people assembled there that morning, and the much larger crowd which would be at the station, had come to wish them well and express gratitude that they had volunteered at this time, which was proof that people of British stock always showed their best when things looked blackest. Day by day one heard of people in this town, and in other parts of New Zealand, saying that they would just as Boon be under Fascist or Nazi rule as under British rule, and he (the Mayor) wanted to say that there was

NO ROOM IN NEW ZEALAND to-day for those people. There was room for only one party—that which would see the war through to a finish and fight on and on. If there were people who preferred Nazism or Fascism to rule by themselves, for themselves, then the proper place for them was not New Zealand, but overseas. The contest would not be easy and the work of the men being farewelled that morning would be hard, but, on behalf of the citizens of Greymouth, he wished' them the best of luck and coijld say that, when it was all over, they would receive the welcome home that they richly deserved. Mr G. G. M. Mitchell said that on him had devolved the pleasant duty of wishing,the men God’s speed, on behalf of the people of the West Coast. They were going away to join other West Coasters, who were already in camp, As one who had' served for some time in the last war with the 13th West Coasters and, when the time came had asked not to be separated from the men considered the finest in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, he could tell them that it would be an honour to join the West Coasters. They would find that the pioneer spirit of the West Coast was not dead. On behalf, of the Greymouth Recruiting Committee, continued Mr Mitchell, he wished to say how proud they were to see so many men, of a fine stamp, enlisting at their country’s call, particularly when we were in such great danger. On behalf of the people of the West Coast he wished the men God’s speed, good hunting and a safe return. A successful complimentary dance was tendered to members who were leaving for camp by the Greymouth Territorial Association, in Schaef’s Hall last evening. There was a large attendance, including a number of recruits included in to-day’s draft for the Third Echelon. The music was supplied by the Mayfair Dance Band and C.S.M. Taylor was in charge of the floor. Lieutenant S. West, in extending good wishes to those leaving for camp, congratulated them on the step they had taken and wished them a safe return. Cheers and musical honours were accorded the recruits. The dance was organised by Lieutenant West and Mr. W. H. Parfitt, and the arrangements were carried out bv a capable committee, comprising Mesdames S. E. West, E. Parfitt, L. Sutherland, M. Marshall, R. Steel, Misses M. H. Parfitt, M. Parfitt, F. Harvey, V. Hopkinson, J. Holt, N. Wilson and M. Wotton. \ — NEW ENLISTMENTS. Five further enlistments at Greymouth have raised the effective total in the Expeditionary Force to 730. Two of the names were not available for publication. The other three were: M. P. McQuilkin. A. L. Cowie. P. W. Daly. A Medical Board will sit at- the Drill Hall, Greymouth, on. Tuesday next at 9 a.m. Approximately 28 Recruits will be examined.