SOLDIERS HONOURED

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 217, 12 August 1940, Page 5

SOLDIERS HONOURED

C(VIC FUNCTION. A well attended civic function was tendered to local members of the Third Echelon in Feilding on Saturday evening, when the Borough Council Chambers were well filled. The Mayor (Mr T; L. Seddon) presided and after the speeches and presentations the guests were entertained by the It.S.A. at a smoke concert. Outside the Borough Council Chambers incidental music was provided by the Municipal Band. The following were the guests of honour : Lieutenant H. It. C. Wild, IMcssrs D. Bell, C. G. Firth, E. Lee, R. Larkins, E. L. Mansell, W. M. Milner, J. H. Murchie, R. M. Reid, L. T. G. Ritchie, T. G. Rowlands, E. R. Shortall, F. Spooner, A. M. Trass, J. Telford, L. E. C. Suff, C. E. Wheeler, J. H. Whyte, D. Buxton, A. L. Jansen (Cheltenham), L. Smith (Murchison),' E. E. Anderson (Kiwitea), P. Satherley (Nelson), A. W. Hawes (Invercargill), A. H. Zweibruck, K. A. Zweibruck, and W. Lewis. Though unavoidably absent from the gathering, the following received presentations prior to leaving the town, Messrs A. Lewis, A. M. Prendergast, and J. W. R. Reay. The Mayor, in opening the proceedings, extended a cordial welcome to Major Bruce McLeod and Lieutenant F. P. Fawcett, who had journeyed to Feilding from Trentham for the occasion, and expressed his pleasure at seeing such a large number of men in khaki ai.d also a good attendance of citizens.

Continuing, Mr Seddon said: “We are met to show our admiration and gratitude to these young, men who have answered the call of King and Country. On behalf of the people of Feilding and district I wish them well. Our prayers and hopes for their wellbeing and safety go with them and we look forward to the day when we can join in welcoming them home again. As part of the great British Empire New Zealand has proudly taken her stand by the side of the Motherland, and New Zealand's sons again nobly and unselfishly join in the crusade against man’s inhumanity to man. All that we love and value, all that we have striven for, is in danger of being lost; hot only our material possessions, but the things of the Spirit, without which man is but a clod. Although the struggle may be long and. bitter, there is no tragedy staring us in the face. There will undoubtedly bo a period of Spartan self-sacrifice to he shared, by all. but we are confident that in the end right will prevail over might and that our armies will bo victorious. “When the war ends we do not know with what materials we shall be left to build the temple of peace. We do know, however, that the foundations must go deep down into the social structure of nations. Only in this waycan they be made safe and secure. We will find that the way of peace is a way of living, and that if we would be instruments for peace there is one thing that we must do—we must make it clear that it can never be worth while for any nation to engage in war for what it may consider its own interests. I believe wo have sufficient resources of human intelligence, patience and goodwill to create a far nobler world than that which is now . hurling itself to destruction. I say these things to you, because when yon return to your civil occupations it will bo your task to help to create that brave new world. Until then, au rovoir and good luck.” R.S.A.’S INTEREST. On behalf of the R.S.A., Mr F. J. Allen (vice-president) said the name of the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force was already a household word overseas, and our men were making a splendid impression. He had no doubt that the members of the Third Echelon were keen to get away to whatever part of the Empire they might he sent. These men fully realised that they had before them a stirring

immediate future, and they carried with them the responsibility of maintaining the high respect and military tradition with which New Zealand was regarded in the Old Land. Members of the R.S.A., knowing the calibre of these men and something of their, lives and the families from which they had sprung, did not entertain any shadow of doubt that they would not only maintain that high tradition but would add to its lustre. Regarding the R.S.A., Mr Allen said the men could be assured that it was taking a direct interest in their welfare and a very watchful eye was being kept on their interests. When the great day came the voice of the R.S.A., with its 20 years’ experience, would be of valuable assistance. Concluding, the speaker said that all he asked ivas for the men to return home profited by experience and to join the R.S.A. and give to the community the advantage of that close co-operation of brotherhood and mutual spirit of helpfulness so strongly in evidence in the army. “The Old Guard is conscious of the fact that the soldier of 1940 will on his return examine and criticise it with the frankness of youth, and we hope we will measure up to the required standard. I can assure you we will try.” Hon. J. G. Cobbe, M.P., said he was proud that the men were prepared to risk their lives at the call of the Motherland. The fate of the British Empire would be decided in this war. Hitler on the one hand was fighting for the overthrow of Christianity and civilisation, while Britain was engaged in a struggle to preserve for the world freedom, and all the things which went to make up a worth-while life. Britain’s cause was a just one, and right would triumph. The manhood of New Zealand were fighting with other forces of the great Commonwealth to maintain the freedom for which their fathers fought and gave their blood and tears during the last war. Every confidence could he placed in the soldiers of to-day. who would give a creditable account of themselves and return victorious. Presentations were then made by the Mayor to the guests, who each received a leather wallet and a 10s note, with the good wishes'of the community,

SMOKE CONCERT. At the smoke concert, the R.S.A. soon made manifest the comradeship of the army and the proceedings were particularly bright and enjoyable. Mr Allen presided and extended a welcome to those present. He apologised for the absence of several members of the R.S.A. executive and prominent citizens, and made reference to the efforts of the patriotic organisation in Zone E, which was doing all in its power to provide money for the soldiers and was co-operating with the R.S.A. in every way. He paid a tribute to the immense amount of work being done by the chairman of the Zone (Mr fcjeddon), who was also a member of the Man-Power Committee. The toast to members of the Third Echelon was entrusted to Mr C. H. Tate, treasurer of the zone, and the replies were made by. Lieutenant R. AA’dd, Corporal J. Tc-lford and Mr L. Larkin, on behalf of the Maori Battalion. The Mayor (Mr Seddon) proposed the toast to the Eeilding R.S.A., and Mr W. G. Booth replied. Mr C. V. Jewell (secretary of the R.S.A.) proposed the toast to the Feilding Patriotic Society, and the reply was made by Mr Iv. M. Little (secretary). Items were rendered by Messrs T. Donaldson, H. J. Dewe and S. Johnston, and Mr A. Wright with his pianonaccordeon band. An -inspiring address was also given by Colonel Ma-caulay, who was especially thanked for bis words of advice. Major B. McLeod also addressed the gathering as president of the Eeilding R.S.A. Addressing the members of the Third Echelon Air C. H. Tate said it was very obvious that the troublo of 25 years ago was still with us. To those who were about to go overseas be would say that they would experience the same little problems which the men of the last war experienced. They would he many and varied, but they would he as nothing compared with the companionship and friendships that would he established. They would find that the uniform was a great leveller and it would bo found that the rough would be able to mix it with the best of them. Ho concluded by wishing them well and expressing the hope that they would soon bo home again

Lieutenant AVild, on behalf of tho guests, thanked the R.S.A. for arranging the social. Corporal Telford said that the Third Echelon members would try to live up to the traditions of the R.S.A. members and come back as they did, victorious. Colonel Macaulay said he had the samo admiration and respect- for the new brigade as he had for the old. Britain had command of the seas and possessed an indomitable spirit and he was confident that tho future was secure. Success would come and he asked tho men to go straight and to fear God and trust in Him.

The Mayor paid a tribute to the great work the R.S.A. was doing in respect of ex-soldiers of the Great War. Regarding his own. work as chairman of the Patriotic Society and Man-Power Committee ho felt that he was only one of many who were taking part in a common cause. He praised the work of the treasurer of the Zone E Patriotic Committee (Mr Tate). AVith an officer of his calibre in addition to the services of a great team of workers on the committee the work for the chairman was made light. To the soldiers the Mayor said they were fighting for freedom and ho was confident that their efforts would be successful. Air AY. G. Booth wished tho men well and said the R.S.A. would ever bo ready to watch their interests. Major AlcLeod said many of tho R.S.A. members would like to he accompanying the new brigade, who, ho hoped would avail themselves of the R.S.A. organisation and become members when they returned.