"FROM FEATHERSTON CAMP TO THE FIRING LINE"

Patea Mail, Volume XLIII, 12 September 1919, Page 2

"FROM FEATHERSTON CAMP TO THE FIRING LINE"

AN INTERESTING LECTURE A most interesting lecture way delivered last night by Chaplain-Captain B'adin on his experiences from the lime of leaving Feathorston Camp till reaching (he tiring line.. There was an excellent attendance, and the Chaplain's remarks were freemen Uy punctuated with applause. In commencing his lecture Chaplain Bladin said that one of the chief duties of a chaplain was to prevent the boys from feeling homesick, next to act as ecm-or, and on top of Ihis to conduct their own services. Then there was spiritual side, and the chaplain instanced how the men would join in prayer, nit so much for themselves, but that they wanted to "play the game." He spoke, of the manner in which the New Zealand troops were treated by the people at the ports of call, making special reference to the kindness of the people of Capetown. When they were Hearing England they could not help feeling proud when they saw the destroyers coming racing towards them — Ihe "bulldogs of Britain" and knew that Britannia still ruled the waves. He said that so highly were the New /calami boys thought of that wherever the New Zealand hat was seen it was regarded as a badge of honour. He described the great military camps in England, and said in all the camps i'!:ere none were doing work that was e. ore highly thought of than that of i'e Salvation Army. Before the troops with whom he went over left him, they

gave him a testimonial, signed by over a. thousand of the boys, showing they appreciated what little scrvicos he had 'emeu able to render them. The speaker mentioned the work done in France by the Salvation Army, -saying that they •r'.c'l (Jo ambulance cars on the western front. Good work was done by the Army iu the hospitals, and by the Army bands in cheering up the men. At Ihaples the Salvation Army had three h'ls, the New Zealand hut having been bailt. largely through the good work of the speaker's predecessor, Staff-Captain Walls. Concerts and religious services were held there and were largely at- '■; nded bv the hoys. In this area there

.vere Pi hospitals, with accommodation f-r .".0,000 patients. Nobody was looked a"ter better than the New Zealand soldiers in hospital, and the padres there e uleavoured io sec each New Zealand's - at least once a week. Out of the i oney sent him by the Commissioner the speaker was able to take them fruit a.'id chocolates and other little comforts, and the boys appreciated all that was done for them.

Speaking of the spiritual work of the Salvation Army, he said that in one !'at "000 men had been converted in i'.ree years. Showing how the boys were looked after, he mentioned that bi one; afternoon between, between four -■id eight o'clock, in one hut 2000 eggs had been served out, besides "yards of sausages," and bags and bags of chipped potatoes. Reverting to the hospital work, the speaker said that it was in the hospitals and clearing stations that one saw war at its worst, but when they saw how the boys went through all the suffering with heroism !i was marvellous. He paid a tribute '•> the work of the girls in driving the motor cars and ambulances, saying that lie. girls carried on with a zeal and a .pi rit that passed all understanding. The nurses also worked with wonderful heroism, second only to the spirit and heroism of the boys. There were many i'umorous experiences, however, in the hospitals, and it was marvellous the spirit of the wounded in bearing their mfi'erings. One felt proud and glad to be able to work amongst these boys. All they could think of and all he could say would not give them an idea •>f what the boys had to suffer "up the line"; yet the carried on and stuck it -.i-ith a tine sense of honour, because ihey knew what they were fighting for. I'u a graphic manner the chaplain also I old of how the Germans bombed the hospitals where the boys were lying helpless—a crime that humanity would never forgive. The gallant fellows at ihe front were worthy of all New-Zea-land could do for them. They were suffering what we could never understand or appreciate, and when they did I'all they should be given a helping hand to pluck up again. He urged the losing of the hotels so as to remove ihe temptation to the boys when they came back. He concluded with an appeal that all should learn to live nobly, and to know God, and then the sacrifices that the boys had made would not have been in vain.