TWELFTH REINFORCEMENTS

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXI, Issue LXXI, 10 January 1916, Page 5

TWELFTH REINFORCEMENTS

HAWERA'S QUOTA FAREWJDLLED

The Taranaki men who have been called up for the Twelfth Reinforcements left for the Trentham encampment this morning, and the Hawera quota, numbering 21 recruits, were given an enthusiastic good-bye by the citizens who had assembled at the sta-~ tion in large numbers. The recruits, headed by the Hawera Cjtizens' Band, marched from the Defence Offices to the station, where they received an ovation on arrival.

The Mayor (Mr E. Bixon), addressing the recruits, said that on behalf of the people of Hawera he had to express their thanks to the men for their presence there' that morning, which showed that they were willing to serve their^ King and the Empire. It was gratifying to read in the press that Canterbury had found more than sufficient men for the- 12th Reinforcements. He trusted that this result would be contagious throughout the country, and that in the subsequent quotas to be called up the number of men required would be. obtained. He was sure the feeling in New Zealand tjy-day^ was not in favor of conscription, but only when men failed to come forward when required. If our men failed to answer the call, then, the Government' would be forced to compel them to enlist. But New Zealand di^ not want this, and he hoped it would' never be necessary to introduce eonscript:on. ,If they were to win this war they must have the men p-nd he trusted that, that morning's demonstration would stimulate recruiting. If men, however, would hot enlist, then they could not blame the 1-oyeri.ment for bringing in N conscrip+*pn, bpcnnsfi the men. m"st be found. Se wished the recruits Godspeed, and he knew that they would maintain the serious deeds of thoso who had gone before them to the Gallxpoli Peninsula, and he trussed that the people would have the pleasure of welcoming them all back again. (Cheers.) Mr W. R Haselden, Stipendiary Magistrate,, said that he was only going to say a. few words because he knew this was not an occasion for a long speech, nor did the men desire list^inoto long speeches. At the same time? when the recruits wero_on the road they might think it was a matter for regret it something had not been said to th<vm that-morning, expressive of the feeling -aad the appreciation of the people of their district upon their going away to serve the Empire, and in saying farewell to them, and in throwing into that word all the meaning it was possible to convey. He wanted the men to think sometimes wnen in camp or in bivouac in the field, of that morning's farewell and say—"Yes; the people of Hawera are thinking of us, and when we are fighting for them and ourselves we know that, their thoughts are with us " His Worship added that if at any time the men wanted anything done for them they should communicate either with the Mayor or himself, and they would do ail tiiey could for then*. '{Applause). He said that he addressed tne recruits not only as a man, but as an old sqldier, for it was almost 50 years ago since he stood on a summer morning in tne Albert Barracks, Auckland, waiting for his marching orders. He had not bean fortunate enough to win a medal with bars, but he had obtained the sixteen gears' service medal, which did not carry bars. He hoped the men before! him would come back with medals with bars, and that they would uphold the reputation of the Anzacs—he did not asK tnem to do better, for that was quite good enough. He advised themio ue swift in obedience, to take things as they came, and, when the moment came to fight, to fight like,fury, and ,let the consequences be what they j might. (Applause). He advised the men to abstain from drink, becaus© they would be healthier and in better spirits for it. One last word—"Good-bye, my boys, and may we see you all back with honors." ■

The Magistrate and the Mayor then warmly shook hands witL each of the recruits, speaking a kindly word to all. Major McNaught, group commander, thanked the citizens for the magnificent reception given to the men of the 12th Reinforcements, and he hoped the boys would remember the advice given them, and also carry out Lord Kitchener's message to the troops in England, which they all knew, and which he need not repeat. . . ' Cheers were then given for the boys at the front, the lads then leaving, and for the Hand for having given its services.

The ladies presented ea^h man with a parcel containing something useful for camp life. -

The Mayor said that th# ladies had decided to purchase a kettle-drum for one of the members of tho quota A bandsman Said he /would sell his instrument, and immediately the money commenced to be thrown into the ring, and the total ran up" to £6 13s 3£d. As a kettle-drum costs £6 10s, it'will be paid for at once, with a trifle .over, which _ will be handed to the Ladies' Committee, the drum, which was greatly admired by 'Drummer H. Robinson, for whom it-was purchased, was handed to him amidst applause As the train left the station the*e was a great outburst of cheering, and a popular demonstration. The boys of the 12th Reinforcements must have been morel than gratified at the send-off accorded to them by the people of Hawera.