THE PARADE OF THE EXPEDITIONARY FORCES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16166, 31 August 1914, Page 4

THE PARADE OF THE EXPEDITIONARY FORCES.

The parade and march through the city on Saturday of the Otago and Southland section of the main body of the Now Zealand Expeditionary Force furnished a spectacle that could not fail to deeply impress those who witnessed it. It was an event calculated to bring home very forcibly to the minds of the onlookers the manner in which New Zealand is actually involved in the conflict that is now raging. The Empire is engaged in a just war which it must at any cost bring to a triumphal issue, and no part of the Empire can play a passive role. The New Zealand Expeditionary Force represents the practical response of this dominion to Imperial obligations which it has always been prompt to recognise. Its stake in the issue of the war is one in behalf of which it is, in common with the rest of the Empire, prepared to make the heaviest sacrifice. The grim reality of the whole business was brought forcibly before the local public by the parade on Saturday. This derived its spectacular effect from nothing in the way of vain display characterising the appearance of the troops. Everything was of workmanlike and serviceable aspect. Altogether the men made an excellent showing and conveyed the impression of being thoroughly able £o uphold the credit of the dominion and of the Empire wherever they may be called upon to serve. The marchpast of such a body of troopers and infantry -was one of the most inspiring sights Dunedin has witnessed. The attitude of the onlookers and of the troops themselves befitted the occasion. Otago and Southland will be represented on active service by a well-knit and resolute-looking body of men who, even if many of them may be somewhat youthful, may be expected in soldierly bearing and general efficiency to reach a high level under the systematic training which they are now receiving. The mounted troopers convey the impression of being sturdily and serviceably horsed. General Sir lan Hamilton paid the mounted rifles of New Zealand a high compliment when he said .that he should consider himself lucky indeed if ever he had the good fortuno to encounter Continental cavalry in reasonably brolcen ground with them on his right hand. At the time nothing, perhaps, seemed more improbable than that such a possibility, or something akin to it, would within two short months be brought at least nearer the prospect of realisation than ever before. As a dominion we should be looking decidedly foolish to-day had we taken no steps to put our defence system on a proper footing.