SERVICE OVERSEAS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24003, 29 December 1939, Page 6

SERVICE OVERSEAS

FIRST MEN FROM OTAGO AN IMPRESSIVE FAREWELL ATTENDED BY HUGE CROWD i " Though we deeply regret the cause of your departure, we are proud of you and wish you the best of good fortune," said the Mayor of Dunedin (Mr A. H. Allen) in an address to Dunedin members of the first echelon of the New Zealand Special Force before they left, for camp yesterday after spending their final leave with relatives and friends. In those words he expressed the feelings of every member of the huge crowd which assembled to say "au revoir." It was a representative crowd and it made access to the neighbourhood of the Railway Station difficult. The troopji marched from the Queen's Gardens behind a guard of honour comprising hundreds of Great War veterans, many of them wearing medals and all of them symbolising a reputation thai; will surely be enhanced by the young men of the present Expeditionary Force. It was a morning that will not be forgotten. To many, similar occasions during the Great War were brought vividly to mind; but there was no doubting the cheeriness and heartiness of the men on active service. Their physique was impressive, and it could not be questioned that they were worthy successors to the men who built up such magnificent traditions during the previous war.

GUARD OF VETERANS REMINDER OF TRACTIONS RESPONSIBILITY ACCEPTED MAYOR'S FAREWELL MESSAGE The troops paraded at.the Queen's Gardens, where thousands of citizens had begun to gather long before 8 o'clock. They stood about in groups, of which khaki-clad figures were the centres for a long time, talking in the bright sunshine and awaiting the arrival of the guard of honour. The returned men swung down Burlington street behind the president of the Otago Association (Mr J. M. White), and took up their place at the head of the column for the march to the station. Their example in the field will never be forgotten, and their example on parade was still a splendid one. The Otago Regimental Band took up its position behind the guard of honour, with thr troops in line behind it. The route of march was pas* the Cargill Memorial to Stuart street and the station via Princes street. The whole of the march was through dense crowds, which gave full voice •to their feelings, filling the air with greetings and good wishes. Law of the Jungle When the parade was halted at the station, the Mayor spoke from a truck decked with flags. First, he congratulated the men on their ready response to the call to arms and. if need be, hardships for the defence of the Empire, the maintenance of its democracy and the liberties of the smaller nations of the world. " Germany, in her desire .for world conquest, believes in the law of the jungle, where might is right and under whose law only the strongest survive," he - said. " Great Britain and. France protested against her absorption of Austria and Czechoslovakia and the cruel treatment of their nationals under German rule, and would have taken up arms in defence of those people but for a natural hesitation to disrupt the peace of the world. ~ , , , "When Poland was attacked, however, it became necessary to declare ourselves on the side of the weak against German might and ruthlessness. This is .not a war of aggression on the part of Great Britain and France, nor are we moved by any spirit of vengeance or hatred." Neither sought any advantage l:or Itselfj he continued; but both had declared that all their resources would be used to achieve final victory and •thus remove the constant fear of aggression under which Germany s ismaller neighbours had lived for so many years and to make the world, a fit and happy place in which to live. "As a constituent member of the great British Commonwealth 01. Nations," Mr Allen said, "New Zealand must accept and discharge her share of this great responsibility. It therefore devolves upon us to send our men where their services are required, even if it J* to the French frontier, for the Maginot Line, not the shores 01. New Zealand, is our first line ot defence." If Great Britain should be defeated at the Maginot Line, then New Zealand was also automatically defeated. But the Allies would not be beal.en if Great Britain pulled together to the end as a nation, as the Empire was resolved to do. Such a boast was not made in any jingoistic spirit, but with faith in the righteousness of the Allied case, in the preparedness of the nation, and in the resolve of its men to show courage and determination to the end. "I believe we have a long and most difficult task ahead, but that victory will ultimately crown our efforts, he continued. Splendid Body of Men " Toward that end I know that you men will do your part and that you will live up to the high traditions set by the New Zealand division in the Great War. You are a splendid body •of intelligent men with a physique and courage unsurpassed. If and when the call for action comes, you will, I know, prove yourselves and bring honour to New Zealand and earn distinction for yourselves. You are to be congratulated not only for offering your services, but also for the fine example which you have set to all the young men of the Dominion." • Recruits were now being called for the second echelon, Mr Allen said, and he was sure that the pals of the men going away first would quickly recognise their duty arid respond to the call to arms and support them on the fneld

of battle. Subsequent echelons must follow, so that New Zealand could adequately discharge her duty to the Empire's call. "Though we deeply regret the cause of your departure, we are proud of you and wish you the best of good fortune," he said. "We will constantly remember you during your absence and look forward to your return, when to-day's feelings of sorrow and anguish wil) give place to a joyous welcome home. We hope you will all keep well, that good fortune will attend you. and that you. too, will remember us. We wish you God speed, a successful mission, and a safe return to this city, and to your own kith and kin." "Good Hunting" The Mayor's call for three cheers was given a hearty response. Then, 4 on behalf of the returned soldiers. Mr Vhite wished the troops "good hunti. g and a safe return." " I am sure," he remarked with a smile, "that you will not do anything that we of the old brigade did not do." These official "au reyoirs" preceded the filing on to the platform of the tro.ops. and, soon afterward, a raid by the crowd, which was determined to see the train out of the station. It was in the main a cheery crowd, but there were many wives and children, the latter, fortunately too young to appreciate the significance of it all, friends and patents, brothers and sisters who had to struggle to keep the smiles on their faces. To a big proportion of the gathering, memories of 1914-1918 departures were too vivid to enable them to pretend with a great dearee of success, but the troops,, themselves disguised their inner feelings and made the occasion one of good cheer. Their gaiety was of the quality that had prompted the band earlier to nlay " Tipoera»v " and " Pack Up Your Troubles," and as the train slowly steamed out. "The Girl I Left Behind Me." Southland Troops There was still the Southland contingent to come through..and, although most of the relatives of the Dunedin men made their various ways with, their own thoughts after the departure of the first train, there was still a big crowd .to cheer the Southlanders on their way. There were still, too. many Great War veterans to act as a reminder that this was the sort of thing that was never to happen again. At last, about 11 o'clock, the second train pulled out. again to the accompaniment of wistful good-byes from those who had been able to gain access to the platform and vociferous cheering and singing from the troops. Altogether, it was a morning that will not be forgotten by the thousands of Dunedin citizens who contributed to the impressiveness of it all. It was unfortunate that there were one or two hitches in the detailed working of the departure programme. The parade was a long one, the route of march was v changed to cause unnecessary confusion, the amplifying of the Mayor's address was not a success, and the manner in which the troops ultimately reached the platform was not a triumph of organisation Ordinary civilians were barred from entering the station proper, but at the last minute general access was available through the gates at the end of the platform, and there was a dense rush. There was general regret that the troops were not able to make the most of the final stages of their leave, and that many good-byes were perforce hurried. But some confusion was inevitable when there was such a big and demonstrative crowd and it was taken in good part.

SECOND ECHELON OTAGO'S QUOTA OF 400 MEN RECRUITING MORE BRISK With the departure yesterday of the Otago and Southland detachments of the first echelon for overseas service, attention is now being given to the forming of the second contingent, for which Otago is to provide 400 men. Recruiting is more brisk than previously, a Daily Times reporter was informed yesterday, and enlistments are coming in freely. It was not at present possible to estimate when the quota will be filled. FAREWELL FUNCTIONS THE MILTON DISTRICT The Milton and district members of the first echelon of the Special Force were guests of honour at public and private farewell functions. On Sunday evening about a dozen soldiers attended the service at the Tokomairiro Presbyterian Church where an appropriate address was delivered by the Rev. S. T. Nicholls. A social hour was afterwards held in the Bible Class Hall, when special hymns were sung and supper was provided. Mr Nicholls. on behalf of the Kirk Session and church members, presented Testaments to each soldier adherent of the church, and mementoes to others. On Tuesday night residents of Moneymore gathered in the district hall to honour Privates A. Gordon and E. Harvey. A concert programme was presented and prior to supper Mr R. G Cullen, on behalf of the residents, presented each of the guests with a wristlet watch and a safety razor Private Gordon briefly replied. On Wednesday night the Milton soldiers were tendered a farewell concert in the Coronation Hall. Songs were given by Misses A. Wilson, T. Kreft P. Martin and R. Wilson; recitations by Miss P. Campbell and Mrs M. Dale, and sleight-of-hand tricks by Mr E. Russell. Short addresses were given by Captain E. O'Keeffe (Milton Ministers' Association), Mr W. C. Wendelken (Bruce Territorial Association) Mr D. McGregor (Bruce County Council) Mr U. Walker (local sports bodies). Mr H. F. Adam (Bruce R.S.A.), and Mr W. J. Cockburn (Milton Borough Council). Mr Cockburn afterwards presented each of the soldiers with a safety razor. Private J. Boyle responded. Following is the full list of the soldiers from the district, all of whom will have returned to camp by Saturday:—Sergeant D. Berry. Privates A. Wells, A. C. Thomson. A. Gordon. J. Boyle E. Harvey. A, Ferguson, H. Hamilton. A. Chalmers. J. Gutsell, T. Boyle; Gunners A. Heads and J. Mills (for Ngaruawahia). and Sergeant H Wilson. The main batch left on the special troop train yesterday morning, when there was a large crowd on the station platform. Lieutenant J. B. Gray, who is also on leave at present, will return to Burnham early in the new year. WAITATI A farewell function in honour of local soldiers was held in the Waitati Hall, which. was packed by residents The chairman, Mr J. Duncan, introduced the guests of the evening—Privates D. Gunn. J. Erridge. and L. Maguire. Dancing was held, and several concert items were given. The chariman spoke briefly and called upon Mrs O'Fee, president of the Waitati Women's Institute, to make presentations to the guests. Mrs O'Fee extended best wishes to the soldiers for a safe return. UNIFORMS FOR SERVICES STANDARDISING COLOURS CORRECT SHADES REGISTERED Sealed specimens of the correct shades of Army khaki. Air Force blue, and Admiralty blue have been sent by the British War Office, Air Ministry and Admiralty to the British Colour Council for official registration in their Dictionary of Colour Standards, which is the recognised reference for colour determination throughout the world. These officially-approved shades are being copied on colour charts and sent to textile and dye-stuff manufacturers and large and small tailoring concerns all over Britain and the Emrjire " This will eliminate the enormous waste in materials, dyes and mono which occurred in the last war, when in the absence of colour standardisation many uniforms were returned as useless simply because they were not uniform in colour"' says an official of the council. "In 1914 there were, for example.' some 20 dirferent shades of military khaki. Now only two are in general use, and we have registered them as Z2O for officer's dress and Z2l for other ranks." Through the Colour Council. Britain has taken the lead in the worldwide standardisation of colours and in advising on coloui combinations for fashions, furnishings, paints, and even lipsticks and household dustpans Nov* war has come, the council's services are at the disposal of voluntary organisations, as well as the three services, to ensure that the colours of their uniforms shall be a credit to British industry, ■ RECRUITING FIGURES CENTRAL MILITARY DISTRICT (Per United Press Association) WELLINGTON, Dec. 28. Since recruiting began 15 weeks ago 6101 men have volunteered in the Central Military District embracing the Wellington. Wanganui, Palmerston North, Hawke's Bay, Wairarapa and Taranaki districts. Of these 3571 have been classed as fit, 673 as temporarily unfit, 804 as permanently unfit, and 2435 have been sent to camp, while 473 are in reserved occupations. There is a balance available of 7 56.