THIRTIETH REINFORCEMENTS

Nelson Evening Mail, 29 May 1917, Page 6

THIRTIETH REINFORCEMENTS

3>EPARTTJRE Oi NELSON QUOTA. GREAT CROWD AT THE WHARF, f The Nelson quota of th<i Thirtieth ißeinforcements left for Tventham Camp last, evening. The men fell in at the ' Drill Hall at 7.30, and were addressed there by the Rev. \V. Baumber and Mr W. W. Snodgrass (Mayor). Afterwards the saidiers, accompanied by the -National Reserve Band, Territorials, Cadets . and 'Fire 'Brigade {with torches) marched to the port. There was a very large gathering on the wharf, and the sendoff ta the men was as enthusiastic as that to any Reinforcement. Cheers were exchanged as the 'Nikau, carrying the soldiers, moved away from the wharf In his address, the Rev. W. Baumber, ot> behalf of the city) and surrounding districts, congratulated the men on their opportunity to strike a blow in the great war—a war for freedom and jus-t-ice. The Rev. R. J. Campbell, in a recent article, told of a young British soldier, lying seriously wounded, whose sole anxiety was for his mother. Asked how it ivas that he was taking part in isuch a struggle he answered, "You see, it's a man's job. A man could j>ot shirk and- hide when a job like this is going." The speaker reminded the men in front of him that it was a man's job theyu-were undertaking—a job that would call for determination, courage and sacrifice—for the very best they could- give. It was a- man's job to stand it> defence of weaker people, to strive for the over-1 throw of oppression, and to fight for liberty, freedom and justice. What man, reading that day's newspapers, would) not strike a blow against the murderers of women and- children? The military despotism of Germany must be •destroyed. It was a despotism that muvdered women and children; sank de fenceless ships and drowned defenceless ; that sought to enslave noncombatants; that destroyed towns, and turned: smiling lands into a desert —all to gratify ambition. "What- man was j there/-who was not ready to smite such j a nation? It was a man's job they were taking up, and he was sure they would play the man. 'We were winning the war, but it was not professional soldiers who were doiog; it, but men like themselves—men from the farm, the shop, the office. These were the men who were training-- and. flighting and proving better soldiers than the best trained and disciplined! soldiers of Germany. The . New Zealanders had won imperishable fame for their deeds in Gallipoli, Egypt, . France and elsewhere. Some had- fallen and their graves were in distant lands. - and "we honoured them. For the work they had done we thanked God. The ■ men before him were going to take the place of those who had fallen, or who were wounded or sick. Their camp training would call forth the best- in them, physically and morally, but it would also call out the worst it> them, bat lie again reminded them that it ■ was a man's job and of the old words—"Acquit you, like men : be strong." The speaker bad confidence that those going \. away would-' keep up the fair name of New Zealanders. May God bless them and- bring them back in safety, after the great victory was won and peace again came to the world. (Applause). Mr Snodgrass said he had not hud much to say, but he could claim to know a great deal about camp life. On behalf of the citizens of Nelson he wished the men good-bye and God-speed. They were -going to join the Main Expeditionary Force—which had done such : wonderful work; and he was sure they would lire up to the traditions the main body men had set. Britain- en- * tered the war in defence of the rights of small nations, and events had shown how necessary it was for her to do this. They 11 ad only to read that evening's . Mail for justification of Britain's action in entering the war. First, they h the German announcement that hospital ship® were to be sunk: there were the raids, and the murder of women and children; and the statement of a greatGerman that the subrciarioes were not drowning enough people. Any Britisher making such a> statement would have been hounded out, but that was the German sentiment. Two soldiers who bad been to the war before were returning, and wanted to see the eod of it. They, were acting from a sense of ■ ■ duty, and'"he honoured them for it. He asked the men to remember the great principles theyi were fighting for and said that when tat the front their hearts would be' strengthened- by the thought that, they were fighting in defence of liberty. They were going to take part t with a great and victorious army—vie toriou? because right and justice were on- our side. (Applause). Cheers were given, at the call of the Mayor, for the men at the front- and for those -who were going into camp.