THIRD ECHELON

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 217, 12 August 1940, Page 10

THIRD ECHELON

LOCAL MEN HONOURED. PRESENTATIONS FROM CITY. Members of the Third Echelon of the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force were honoured by citizens at a gathering in the Opera House on Saturday evening, when about seventy of the men from Palmerston North and adjacent districts who are on leave were given a public presentation. The Mayor (Mr A. E. Mansford) presided at the gathering, and members of the Third Echelon were on the platform with him, also other representative citizens.

The function opened with the singing of the National Anthem, after which the Mayor gave a brief address. He mentioned that the future whereabouts of the men were as yet uncertain, but whatever happened they were going to fight for the Empire and the Empire’s cause, and represent this Dominion in the . great struggle in which New Zealand was taking part along with the other Dominions. It had been impossible to get a complete list of names of the men, and he hoped they were all present, as it was not desired to leave anyone out. He also invited information about any nurses, who were going away from the district so that suitable steps could bo taken to honour them.

When Great Britain was at war New Zealand was at war, continued the Mayor-. The present hostilities had been forced on Britain by an unscrupulous enemy which had prepared for War by all the means in its power, and had struck at its opponents, among other methods, by means of the Fifth Column. Germany had turned Europe into a hell on earth and only the British Empire was left to defend chose things which we held most near and dear. Any nation which disregarded its national honour was doomed. Britain had entered the war because of her treaty with Poland. We realised that the issue was even greater than that of protecting our honour, and that we were fighting to save civilisation and to prevent the overthrow of Christianity. Wo lead faced such a position before, but never before had our opponents been armed with such powers of destruction. With God’s help we would triumph and the sun would shine on a cleaner and better world. The soldiers had offered their all for this great cause, the cause of England, and please God there would always be an England. The Mayor said that the citizens of Palmerston North admired the spirit, courage and self-sacrifice of the men, who would know that those left behind would do their part as the soldiers would. He expressed best wishes tor the happiness and safety of the men, and said that he looked forward to the time of their return to Palmerston J. Jacobs, president of the Palmerston North Returned feoldiers Association, said that functions such as this had a tinge of sadness, but in place of this there should be a feeling of joyful pride. Members of the Returned Soldiers’ Association referred to the men of the Second Expeditionarv Force as their little brother ‘diggers,” and owed them a certain duty. They were proud of their little brothers and were not going to let them down. The R.S.A. would see that the mens rights were carefully safeguarded and that when they returned they would have the conduct of their own affairs, and if they linked up with the Returned Soldiers’ Association, the conduct of its affairs also. Mr Jacobs assured the men that they were going to have a good time and spoke of the value they would find in comradeship. The speaker concluded by expressing the best of wishes to the men Lieutenant J. Ryan,- of the Defence Department, joined with the Mayor and Mr Jacobs in voicing good wishes. He urged parents who had sons going away not to worry. He had instructed the young, men for the Great Mar as well as for this one and so was in a position to say that the men of the forces to-day were in every way. the equal of their comrades in arms lo years ago. , , , The Mayor presented each man with a safety razor and money belt, anud aP L;eutenant S. Wilson replied on behalf of the recipients- He said how much they appreciated the generosity nf the citizens. Thev were going away because they felt they shouid go, and when they returned they hoped it would be to a free British Empire the conclusion of the gathering the audience gave three cheers for the men. .. , , Mr F. McLaclilan presided at the piano. _____ OTHER PRESENTATIONS. ' Two members of the Manawatu Times literary staff who are members of the Third Echelon, Corporal M. Walker and Lance-Corporal R. Nay. were met by directors and members of the staff last evening when each was the recipient of a gift as an expression of the esteem in which they were held and as a tribute to their action m having offered their services to their country. Mr R. H. Billens expreeeed the hope that the day would not be far distant when both soldiers would be back again in New Zealand.