GISBORNE PRIDE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20142, 11 January 1940, Page 6

GISBORNE PRIDE

OFFERS OF SERVICE SECOND ECHELON MEN FIRST GROUP DEPARTS PEEL STREET MARCH “Realising the nation’s need and the justice of the cause, these young men have offered their lives to the service of their country. They realise that we have something worth preserving—something worm fighting for, and that they will be lighting for not only the British Isles but also for New Zealand. If Britain gees down New Zealand goes too,” stated the Mayor, Mr. D. W. Coleman. fvIF., fareweiling the first group of Second Echelon men to leave Gisborne, in the eaily hours of this morning. About 30 men of the echelon draft, comprising those who will train at Burnham, Ngaruawahia, and Papakura, were given a boisterous send-off by a large gathering in Peel street, the new arrangements for the fareweiling of drafts being employed for the first time, and proving much more satisfactory tiiaa the informal methods adopted previously. Escorted by teturned soldiers, the volunteers marched from the Abercorn Hall to Peel street, with the W.E.C.M.R. Band at the head of the short column playing stirring marching music. Friends March With Volunteers Scores of relatives and friends of individual volunteers, who had made their private farewells at the Abercorn Hall, marched alongside the column, and the occasion recalled with some vividness the functions with which departing drafts were honoured during the Great War. In Peel street, preparations for the farewell included the roping-off of a portion of the roadway, and the erection of a dais, from which the Mayor and representatives of the Cook County Council and the Gisborne Returned Soldiers’ Association made brief speeches in honour of the volunteers. The ex-servicemen who marched with the recruits lined the enclosure during the ceremony.

The Mayor, in his congratulatory address, referred to the v.ery definite danger that, in the event of the Allies losing the &ar for want of men, the institutions which the people of the Empire had built up by centuries of endeavour would be brought crashing to the ground.. The institution of free government, and the choice of a country’s leaders by the people themselves, would be among the first to go, and the fate of Austria, Czecho-Slo-vakia, and Poland would be the fate of New Zealand and other Empire countries, he said. Concentration camps and even worse would be the lot of many. To Stop Europe’s “Mad Dogs” The Government and the district were proud of the young men who were offering their lives for the defence of institutions held dear by the British people, he continued. All thinking people deplored the necessity of war, but war was thg only' way to stop the march of Nazism; war was the only weapon that would hold off the “mad dogs' of Europe.” It was gratifying to see so many veterans on parade, their presence offering a reminder of the high standard set by the New Zealand Division in the Great War. The traditions of that division, he felt sure, would be worthily upheld by the men of the new expeditionary force. (Applause.) Speaking on behalf of the chairman of the Cook County Council, Mr. F. T. Robinson extended his thanks to the men of the volunteer draft for the spirit in which they had taken up the responsibility of service. They were going into camp to fit themselves for a great and arduous task, and what was happening in the case of Finland showed the tremendous importance of being fit and prepared to resist aggression. On behalf of the residents of the Cook County, he extended the warmest appreciation to the members of the party. Greetings from the “Old ’Uns”

“Diggers of the new N.Z.E.F.: On behalf of the Returned Soldiers’ Association and all ex-servicemen, I offer you their hearty appreciation, and congratulations upon the way in which you have come forward. We are proud to know that you are doing what Gisborne and East Coast men did in 1914-18 to keep the quotas full, and offer a lead to other districts of the Dominion,” said Mr. W. Oakden. The old Diggers could not go with their young successors, except in spirit, he added, but knowing something of what was ahead, they appreciated better than others the sacrifices made by the volunteers.

“You can depend upon it that the people of New Zealand will watch your achievements with pride, and that they will not fail to send you adequate reinforcements. We wish you God-speed and a safe return,” concluded Mr. Oakden, amidst applause. The singing of the National Anthem and cheers for the departing draft, closed the ceremony, and within a few minutes the volunteers were moving off, to the singing of the latest popular song, from a recent Gracie Field film.