THE DOMINION AND THE WAR.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16665, 25 September 1914, Page 8

THE DOMINION AND THE WAR.

WELLINGTON CONTINGENT.

THE OFFICIAL LEAVETAKING [Pes Press Association!]

WELLINGTON, September 24

Wellington's official farewell to the provincial section of the main Expeditionary Force and the artillery brigade took place this afternoon at Newtown Park. Large crowds watched the march of the troops to the park, and when at about 2.30 the Governor addressed the men there were between 35,000 and 40,000. people present. The morning had been overcast and rain threatened at midday, but then the sun came out brightly and everything pointed to a continuation of fine weather. Before the ceremony was concluded, however, drizzling rain began, and the huge'crowd, as well as the troops, got rather damp as they made their respective ways homeward or to quarters for the night. The proceedings in the streets and at the park were marked by much enthusiasm. Territorials, Cadets' and Boy Scouts assisted in maintaining a clear road for the troops, who afforded an insoiring spectacle as they marched past," headed by their, own band and .with several city bands assisting at.various points. At 2.30 p.m.. when his Excellency the Governor arrived the whole of the assembled troops came to the Royal Salute and the bands played the National Anthem. His .Excellency was accompanied by the Prime Minister, the Minister of Defence, the leader of the Opposition and the Mayor (Mr J P. Luke). Others present'included members; of both Houses of the Legislature. Wis Excellency then inspected the force, after which he delivered a stirring speech, in which he bade the troops good-bye. ' Speeches were also delivered bv the Prime Minister, the Minister of Dofence the leader of the Opposition (Sir Joseph Ward) and the Mayor The whole gathering then sang the well-known hymn " O God, Our Help in Ages Past, the crowd joining in heartily, and prayers followed, after which the troops marched past his Excellency in column of route, emerging from the park with various bands'distributed throughout tho column at regular intervals. The streets wore lined by thousands of citizens en route, and the troops were vigorously cheered as they passed by. Near Government Buildings the parade was dismissed and Wellington had said its official goodbye to the soldiers'.

THE SPEECHES.

ADDRESS BY THE GOVERNOR [Pica Pkkss Association.]

WELLINGTON. September 24. After inspecting tho troops, his Excellency tho Governor addressed tho gathering as follows:—" Major-General Sir Alexander Godley, officers, noncommissioned officers and men of this Contingent: This great assembly which you see around you to-day has como to wish you God-speed. Time was, not so very long-ago, 1 when tho sight of a troopship in a New Zealand harbour denoted the arrival of troops from the Old Country. To-day tho story is reversed. England is wanting all her sons to-day, and this young Dominion is sending homo to the Mother Country her best. It has been a great pleasure, nay, I will say an honour, to inspect the men here to-day, and I do not think anybody will fear as to the future. You are indeed the very pick of tho manhood of this Dominion, and I know you will give a good account of yourselves whatever you aro called ■ upon to do. There is a tinge of sadness in my heart to-day, and it is because I alono of all the reserve of officers in this Dominion am unablo to allow my name to bo called in the roll of my old regiment. I can assure you all here, whether you be on parade or whether 'you be spectators, that I shall do my best to servo your interest to tho best of my power as long as I am in the Dominion. Gentlemen, no Government has ever faced war with a. light heart, but if ever a Government had a righteous cause, if ever an Empire had a righteous cause, it is the Empire' we have tho honour to belong to. It has been often repeated since tho war began that, we would be soon signing peace, but peaco will not be declared until we have made a right end to this war. We have been forced into it by an unrighteous foo desirous to rulo. the world; and we have determined that as we have put our hands to the plough we shall not look backwards.',' PRIME MINISTER'S SPEECH.

The Prime Minister, Mr Massey, said: J "This is not a time for words, but j for wise counsel, for calm deliberation ' aiid a strong determination to do what we believo to be right. Not for tho first time in recent years has the-Em-pire seen tit to call upon the younger nations for men who can ride and shoot. History tells us that in ancient days it was the custom to send round the fiery cross to assemble the Highland clans in battles. The Empire has sent out the equivalent, the electric spark, to every corner of the world 1 and the response has been magnificent and unprecedented. From every corner of the world the sons, of the'dominions are rushing to assist the old Mother, perhaps a little grey, but still strong and active. New Zealand is sending of its best, and in all probability within a very few months Now Zealand w r ill have 10,000 representatives at the scene of operations, and I want to 1 tell you as a citizen of New Zealand, and as one who has seen the men in the three centres during the last few weeks, I am very proud of those who are going away on account of their physique and soldierly bearing; and .their willingness to serve their country and Empire. This war has done,'away.with ninny ideas that existed during the last few years. One was that tho British Empire is decadent. Who ftt'ill say that now ? It has been demonstrated that the Empire is stronger and greater than ever it has been during its past history, and with the younger nations of the Empire growing in populations and importance the Empire is bound to become greater in years to come. What is the position? We see the different dominions of the Empire, the dependencies of the Empire, all'bound together to-day by ties perhaps as light as air but stronger than steel, the ties of sentiment, and T am quite certain of this, great as the Empire is to-day, it is nothing to what it will be half a century from now. I want to give you a.few words of advice. In the case of many of you, your mothers are still left when you go to the other side of the world. Never do anything of which your mothers would not approve. If you take that advice in the spirit in, which it is given you will never have ieason to regret it. Just one other word, and it is this: Citizen'soldiers, let mi advise you to stand fast to the 'lonoiaof the Empire, stand fast for the gl>i.V of the flag, stand fast for the credit of your Empire, stand fast for the traditions of the Imperial race to whicu you belong. And "now I can only hops that the Providence that has watched over and' guided the, destinies of the Empire will watch over you, protect your footsteps, and in His own good time bring you back to your own land and to the "friends you are leaving behind." SIR JOSEPH WARD SPEAKS. Sir Joseph Ward said: — " I want to say that I am too very Ercud to have the opportunity of being ere to-day to join in the multitude of people, not only here but in all parts of the in giving you a preliminary but an earnest farewell. It is only a little over seven weeks since . this unparalleled war in the < world's history began. During that time there have been deeds done by the British ' that have .added to the brightness of the pages of British history and havo added;to the glory of the British Empire as we know it from tho reading of history. It must be a source" of immense gratification to the men who aro going from this distant portion of the British dominions to realise that they, individually and collectively, aro going for all time to be attached to that history which to-day we are all so proud of. Talk about the suggestion of the decadence of the British Empire! R-oad only one or two of the incidents that have taken place during the last week or two, and any idea of that kind that may have existed in the minds of anyone ought to be dissipated for ever. Wo read' of ten successive British soldiers going individually to their doom to blow up one bridgo to prevent the enemy from gaining a superior position. Tho last of tho ten, who lit the fuse, blew up the bridgo and blow himself away too, I believe to a. throne of glory in tho other world. When we know of acts of that kind which are repeated every day wo realise that the men here who will go forth to do battle for the Empire are descendants of the great old stock ' which made the British ' admired the world over for courago and for generosity and also for determination to win when fighting for a righteous cause- May I say one personal word to General Godley, who has only been a short time with us. He has won the confidence of fill classes in tho community in,the Dominion. He has shown himself to bo a great soldier, n great organiser, a. great diplomat, a man full of tact, and a man of ingenuous and unpretentious actions. We in this portion of the Empire are not oniv proud of him, but wo recognise that tho men who aro going *away under him aro equally proud of tho fact that they serve under a soldier who has the _ respect and esteem and the goodwill of the masses of a Moung and democratic country such as this is. In conclusion, I would say to you, we may 'be only fighting in defence of a bit. of shattered bunting, but we are fighting in defence of what that means to the humblest of the people in all tlie British' territory. It means the suppression of that- German imperialism which aimed at.dominating tho civilised world. For that reason tho men going forward are willing ;o fight and die in defence of the honour of the Empire, and there are men who are ready to follow them. God speed you and protect you in whatever under-

takings you may be engaged, and may He bring you back safely to fin's country. That is my earnest wish and that of everv section of the community. (Cheers.)

HON JAMES ALLEN'S FAREWELL

The Minister of Defence, the Hon James Allen, said: "Just one word. Our opportunity has come, the opportunity of Now Zealanders to show what Ihoy think of belonging to the Empire and to show what they can do in tho interests of the Empire. I know that you will do your duty, men. We havo given you of the best of our officers. Officers, we havo given you of tho best of our men. We trust them to your care. Wo believe that you will lead them as good officers should lead them, that where daring is necessary you will bo daring. We believe you will succeed. We believe that you will help tho Empire. We wish you to come out with honour and glory, and we hope to see you all back here well and sound, come back to us with untarnished names and with honour, with' glory, and that those who come after you will read with pride of the days you arc about to enter into. An revoir, a pleasant voyage to you all, hard work on the voyage, success in the field and a ban"- return."

Tho Mayor of Wellington, Mr J. P. Luke, having given some words' of encouragement on behalf of the citizens of New Zealand,'tho vast assemblage sang tho hymn " Oh, find Our Help in Ages Past." Captain Chaplain Chapman then read the Forty-sixth Psalm, Major-Chaplain W. Shirer engaged in prayer, and the Bishop of Wellington pronounced

FANNING ISLAND.

THE STAFF SAFE,

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. SYDNEY, September 24.

The Pacific Cable Board reports that all members of the Fanning Island staff aro safe.

STATION NOT DESTROYED. [Per Pbess Association.] AUCKLAND, September 24

Mr Millward, manager of the Pacific Cable Board, confirmed the report that tho Fanning Island staff is safe, but ho regretted that he was unablo to reveal further details of the news which had come through from the station, owing to the Government restrictions. " There is reason for believing that the station has not been totally destroyed," he said. "It is reported that although some damage has been done, the buildings on the island are more- or less intact, while the fact that the staff is still on the island suggests that an effort will be mado to repair the damage as quickly as possible."

NECESSITY OF RETICENCE.

MESSAGE FROM THE ADMIRALTY. The. following cable message has been received by his Excellency the Governor from tho Admiralty: "Tho attention of the officers in command is called to the necessity of strict reticence in all matters relating to the movements and operations against tho fleet. Interviews and letters from the fleet aro appearing in the Press giving information which should not be made public, » and it appears from private telegrams correctly addressed to ships at their base that information on this point must have been conveyed in letters from these ships. Such lapses in secrecy may have serious effects on public interests, and as they cannot always be controlled by censorship tho patriotic co-operation of all ranks should bo invited.' His Excellency _ hopes that this request will be strictly adhered to.

FOREIGNERS OBJECTED TO.

STEAMER PAKEHA'S MEN CEASE WORK.

WANT GERMAN FIREMEN DISMISSED. [Per Press Association.] • AUCKLAND, September 24.

Thirty firemen and greasers employed on the steamer Pakeha cefised work this afternoon and informed tlie officers that they would not resume until six German and one Austrian firemen had been put off the ship. It is stated that the sailors will similarly refuse duty to-morrow morning unless the foreigners are removed.

THE RUAHINE.

EXPECTED AT HOBART TOMORROW.

The New Zealand Shipping Company advises that a wireless message has been received stating that the Ruahino from London is expected to arrive at Hobart at midday on Saturday.