HIGH TRIBUTE TO N.Z. TROOPS

Southland Times, Issue 24419, 26 April 1941, Page 8

HIGH TRIBUTE TO N.Z. TROOPS

CALL TO EMULATION A call to New Zealanders to be worthy of the traditions of the Anzacs was made by Dr A. W. Owen-Johnston, president of the Invercargill Returned Soldiers’ Association, in an address delivered at the citizens’ service in commemoration of Anzac Day, held at the show grounds yesterday morning. Dr Owen-Johnston said that they were gathered that day to do honour to those who fought for their country in the war of 1914-18. They cherished the memory of those who died in the service of their country. By tneir deeds they had earned the reputation of being good soldiers. The speaker went on to quote a tribute paid to the Anzacs by a distinguished French general in an address to recruits shortly after the war. The general said:— SPLENDID DIVISION “Young soldiers of the Republic. Before I begin my address I wish to read you the following Army order recently issued from headquarters:— The President of the Council of the Ministry of War mentions the name of the following British officer. Major-General Sir Andrew Russell, of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, who has led a splendid division to countless victories. Its exploits have not been equalled, and its reputation was such that on the arrival of the division on the Somme battlefield during the most critical days of March 1918, the flight of the inhabitants immediately ceased. The division covered itself with fresh glory during, the battles of Ancre, Bapaume, C evecoure, and Le Quesnoy and at the Sambre and at Puesceux au Mont.' “ ‘Now I ask you,’ the general went on, ‘to take notice of one fact; that on the arrival on the battlefield of these soldiers the flight of the inhabitants immediately ceased. It was, indeed, one of the most critical periods of the war. The line had been broken, the enemy was passing through to anticipated victory and the unfortunate people of the countryside were fleeing in terror from the horrors of the Boche invasion. Then came the arrival of the troop trains with reinforcements. Company after company of khaki men were detrained and hurried into the firing line. Who are these men, the people asked, and then it was that the flight was stayed. The officer who was directing the evacuation sent his aide-de-camp to inquire the reason. He returned with the answer that the people were not going any further because these were soldiers from New Zealand and all would be well. Such was the reputation of these men for valour and manhood and conduct that your war-stricken countrymen knew that they could confide their goods and their chattels, their lives and the honour of their women to their safe keeping. I can hold up to you no finer model as soldiers than was shown by the men that a little nation in a faroff island of the Pacific sent to France in her hour of peril.’ ” “BE GOOD SOLDIERS”

Continuing, Dr Owen-Johnston said it was a splendid tribute that, the deeds of New Zealand soldiers should be used to inspire the young soldiers of a great Republic. Today, in the midst of another dreadful conflict, New Zealand knew that her soldiers of this generation would not only uphold the great traditions of the first Anzacs, but that they would also add further glories. Wars against ruthless totalitarian States couH not be waged successfully by soldiers alone. Every civilian must conduct himself or herself as a good soldier.

The speaker said he was certain that, given the opportunity, all New Zealanders could be good soldiers. In two great wars the sons of New Zealand had proved their claim to be good soldiers. “Because they are our sons,” he said, “we also can be good soldiers.” “You may ask how we can attain to being good soldiers. I say we must attain to being good soldiers. So in paying homage today to the memory of those who fled during and since the last war in their country’s service, let their noble deeds be an inspiration to one and all to dedicate themselves to an all-in total war effort. If we do less, then we fail the men whose memory we honour today ”

CEREMONIES AT SCHOOLS

Addresses on Anzac Day were given in various Invercargill schools on Thursday. The pupils of the Southland Boys’ High School were addressed by Dr A. W. Owen-Johnston, president of the Invercargill Returned Soldiers’ Association. The names of the old boys who were killed were read by the rector and the school sang the “Recessional.” A wreath was placed at the foot of the memorial and the band played “Reveille” and “Last Post.” The pupils of the Southland Girls’ High School were addressed by Major H. C. Mackenzie, area officer for the Southland military district, and Mr P. L. Hodge addressed the pupils of the Southland Technical College. Several primary schools in the city listened in to a broadcast address on Anzac Day given in the educational session from Station 2YA, Wellington. Under the auspices of the Invercargill Returned Soldiers’ Association the usual Anzac Day service was conducted at the Borstal Institution. The service was conducted by Archdeacon Lush. Also on the platform were Dr Garfield Crawford, the medical officer of the institution, the superintendent, the deputy-superintendent and Mr P. Wild.