THE NEW ZEALANDERS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12568, 4 March 1919, Page 5

THE NEW ZEALANDERS.

RECEIVED SPARTACIST LEAFLETS. URGED TO JOIN THE GERMANS. [Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, March 4. (Special from the Official War Correspondent.) rpi ~ „ . February 26the German Spartacists arc endeavouring to .stir up trouble in the occupied zone. yesterday they surreptitiously < istnbuled a large number of leaflets in the New Zealand area, urging our men to join with the Gormans in appointing soldiers Con noils. English and French bankers, capitalists and lords are, they say, making them the watchdogs of their ill-gotten gains- The circulai urges them to do away with the capitalist class as the Russian Bolshevists have done, and adds that there have been, bloody encounters between Red and White Guards all over Germany. It states that the British and French Governments are the secret friends of the Prussian militarist, and claims our soldiers as brothers. “Remember your traditions as Englishmen and freemen. Don't do the work of tyrants. Strike a daring blow for freedom ; elect your own Councils of Soldiers and Deputies, and join your Russian and German fellowworkers in the task of emancipating your class/’ concludes this precious circular. which has only amused tho New Zealanders, who are keen to obtain copies of it as souvenirs of their watch on the Rhino. “ GOTT STRAFE ENGLAND.” This morning, on an equestrian statue in tho Hansantrasse. tho old legend, “ Gott strafe England,” was painted in bold lettering- It was promptly obliterated by British soldiers. Tho German authorities are taking steps to quell the Bolshevist rising in Dusseldorf, and aro sending troops to take the necessary action. GRAVES’ REGISTRATION UNIT. A graves’ registration unit, consisting of Captain Gibbs, two photographers, and twenty-eight of other ranks, commenced tho work of registering and photographing the graves of New Zealanders who have died in Germany since the Division’s arrival. It will proceed to all tho battlefields in Franco and Belgium on which the Division has fought. Graves will bo renovated and photographed, and crosses erected where necessary. Ultimately the unit may proceed to Gallipoli f on a similar mission. BREAK-UP OF THE DIVISION. February 27. There is a certain sadness about the breaking dp of a Division that even the gayest, can scarcely escape. One by one old friends have been leaving us, .and some of these who had come safely through years of battle, and who today are in England, we shall no more know. Our regiments are holding their break-up dinners. These are convivial to a degree; but all tho same they conjure up sad memories as well as sweet. To-day there is only one South Island battalion, to-morrow there will be only one Rifle Brigade battalion, and next day but one North Island battalion. Our general, and all our infantry brigadiers hut one, have, gone. Ihe break-up of units is. I think, most felt by the drafts as they head for home. The parting with’ horses, too, n; at times quite, affecting. All tho , 11 i'd. Artillery Brigade who were in t , l ” yent to have a last look a.t old Rnsty,-’ the only one of their horses who had gone through the campaign from start, to finish. One drivem the Divisional Train had very moist eyes as he saw a. fine pair of draughts ho had driven for years nut abdard 'thc departing tram. To-morrow tho Division will he horseless.