THE FORTY-SEVENTH DRAFT.

Colonist, Volume LX, Issue 14893, 16 October 1918, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE FORTY-SEVENTH DRAFT.

SPEECH BY MAYOR OF MOTUEKA.

(From "The Colonist," OctoTTer 9th.)

A large crowd assembled in the Drillshed yesterday evening for the purpose of extending, good wishes to the men composing the -district's quota for the Forty-seventh ReTnforcen.ents. *

An appropriate speech was delivered by Mr James A. Wallace, Mayor of Motueka. He said he deemed it a pleasure and a privilege to address the draft. Ho belonged to a district" outside the city of Nelson—a district, he might say, which had played in the past and still was playing an important part in the way of providing men for military service in this war. There were in the ranks that nignt many men who belonged to : Motueka, some of them married, and all of them ready to do their share in the conflict. He trusted that those men, to whom Ec extended hearty congratulations on the positions they were filling, would return to their homes in the near future when victory rested with the Allies. Addressing the draft generally Mr Wallace said the efforts of the Allies had reached a stage when it might be considered that they had advanced well on tile road to complete success. The AlKes "were now in an advantageous position. Many of the reservists before him that right were married men. They had joined the colours, and as Britons were prepared to do their duty to King and country. He hoped that the services of those men would not be required, but they must not deny the possibility that the Allies might yet bo subject to reverses. The war news they were now receiving was favourja'ble to them, but they must be preI pared for any possibility of its becomi ing disadvantageous. If New Zealand, if Australia, if Canada were to cease sending reinforcements, the reinvigorating effect upon Germany would be electrical. The Germans had learnt to fear the colonial forces —that had been "proved absolutely over and over again. People might say that the time had come when it was not necessary to reinforce the New Zealand Division, and some might criticise the work of the Defence Department, saying that this Dominion was sending more troops than it was ontitled to send; but yt would be wrong to stop the despatch of reinforcements, and it was better that more of our soldiers should d;ie in France and Palestine than that they should allow Germany to. conquer.. (Applause.) It was necessary for Ncr- Zealand to carry on until victory was achieved. He would not trust a G.ei7p.an as fur as he could throw him, and ii was for that reason.. that liz urged that no chiiiices should be taken. .He would be prepared to send men with three, four, five, aye. six children, in pursuance of the determination to prevent German predominance. It must never be said that the sacrifices made on Gallipoli and the lives lost in France and Flanders had been wasted. It was the duty of New Zealahclers to stand by the Flag and fight on until danger was past and their services were no longer required and they could safely return to civilian life. Mr Wallace concluded by extending the good wishes of the people of Motueka to the men from that district, whom he hoped and prayed might be spared to come back when their dxity had been performed. He wished the whole draft Gorl-speed and Divine guidance and protection, and expressed the conviction that they would do their duty as soldiers with honour to themselves and credit io the country which gave them birth. (Applause.)' Mr W. W. Snodgrass, Mayor of Nelson, said that Mr Wallace himself was soon going into camp. Hearty cheers were given for Mr Wallace, for the men at the front, and for the men who were going. • . ..The National Anthe mwas played by.j the National Tteserve Band, Hvliti nl^ii 1 contributed suitable selections. The draft left for Wellington by ;i-e: Ma'ponrika at midnight. •' ' The following are the names of the men who comprised the draft:— Boundy, G. J. W. Burnett, J. E. T. Bradcock, A. K. Erena. J. Fry, R.G. Newport, S. Reed, W. A. Stsllard, E. G. Starnes, G. B. Young H. T. Albcrtson, A. L» Aydon, H. W. Bartlett, A. J. W. Batt, F. W. B'ggs, L. H. Bridgeman, A. L. Burton, W. G,. Carter, T: H, Clifford W. Craig, J. M. Craighead, J. M. Duncan, L. >>verett, A.. Frost, N. A. Grooby, L. Inglis, A. B. Jnwood, R. A. Jacobsen, E. F. Mayo C. L. Mercer, G, V. M'uckott, S. F. Sherwood, H. S. E. Smith, R. S. Taylor, H. V. Trout, A. L. Treweek, E. J.