NEW ZEALANDERS IN SYDNEY.

Colonist, Volume LVIII, Issue 14409, 21 May 1917, Page 3

NEW ZEALANDERS IN SYDNEY.

INSPIRING SPECTACLE

Fighting sicta by side for a common cause has brought Australians and New Zealandors closer together than ever they were bciore {.says the/Sydney l!Sun"). . ,

Contests for supremacy in sport ivavc set up a standard of rivalry between th*. Commonwealth and' the Dominion, and, as inevitably happens, there has been frictions! feeling between the two countries. It was left to- the great war to smother this antagonism. In less than thiee vear^ it has brought about a closer union than 50 years oi" peace could have achieved. Further indication of the good relations existing was given thisa fternoori (May 9th), when New Zealand troops marched through Sydney streets. Swinging along to martial music, .they made a very fine- showuv. New Zealanders arc famed for their physique. These young follows who are entering into the struggle for civilisation as against Prussian militarism provided a spectacle of which any country in the world might have been par-j donably proud. Not over the average heght, but with chests inches over the minimum standard, they are replicas of the typo who rave already earned imperishable fame at the front.

The march, which was carried .-out in perfect weather, brought out a very big crowd of onlookers. Along -the line oi route business was suspended for the time. The footpaths were thronged with spectators, and every window in business places from 'first ffoor to top storey held its quota of those anxious to get a glimpse of the soldiers from the Dominion.

In reality they were an army in niniature. Every man of the Service was .represented—Light Horse, . artillery, infantry, engineers, signallers. Army Service Corps, and Arniy'Meciical Corps.

The troops arrived by special trains at the Central Railway Station from Liverpool, where they halve been encamped. They came' into George street via Eddy avenue. At, the Town Hall the Governor-General, Sir Ronald Munro Ferguson took the salute. He was accompanied by Captain Ha.lkettSmith, A. D. C, and others at the saluting base included. Brigadier-Gene-ral Lee, D.S.Q., State Commandant, and Lieut. Colin, A. D. C In honour of the occasion the Town Hall was lavishly beflagged, and many buildings along the line of route were similarly decorated. The Professional Musicians' Band-played patriotic selections at this point of the march. The troops turned out of George street into Martin place end Moore street, thence into Castlereagh street, up Hunter street to Macquarie- street, through to Queen's sqrlore.

Along the whole line of route the visitors were lustily cheered. .There were many New Zealanders amongst the onlookers. And 'their salutations given in the Maori language gave a novel turn to the function.