NEW ZEALANDERS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12699, 22 July 1919, Page 5

NEW ZEALANDERS.

AN ENGLISH FAREWELL.

The popularity of the New Zealand troops in England was brought into prominence by an enthusiastic civic send-off which was given at Stafford recently to over SOO officers and men of the New Zealand Rifle Brigade, on the occasion of their leaving Brooton Camp, after a prolonged stay, for Sling. Sir Thomas Mackenzie, the High Commissioner, who was on a visit to Broctoa Camp, was present. Subscriptions for two silk flags for presentation to the trcops had been quickly raised, and the fund had been left open, it being the intention to present a challenge trophy for competition among the New Zealand Forces. Tho fine appearance of the New Zealanders as they marched through the town on the occasion of tae farewell was, as usual, commented upon. Accompanying the High Commissioner were Major-General Sir AVauless Gowan, G-O.C. Cannock Chase Camp, Brigadier-General Melville, C.M.G., D.S-0., and Lieutenant-Colonel Rhodes. The town was gay with bunting and signs such as “ Good-bye, Dinks,” “ Kia Ora,” etc., and the public thronged all vantage points. The troops were formed up in Market Square, and in the middle of it the Mayor delivered an address. Explaining the object of the ceremony, he said it was arranged by a small but representative committee outside the Town Council, but the General Purposes Committee, when they were approached on the matter, fell in with and agreed to carry out the suggestion of a civic farewell being given to the N.Z.R.B. “ In these days of reconstruction,” said his Worship, “ wo are asked as a nation to ‘ think Imperially, 5 and we feel that in saying good-bye to our New Zealand friends we are not only fostering the spirit of patriotism and love of the Mother Country for her daughter Dependencies in our far-flung Empire, but doing exactly "what I feel sure our colonial friends would have done if in similar circumstances a brigade of our own lads had been domiciled in New Zealand in connection with the war. I may add that, as you are probably a ware, this little function today is being cinematographed, and will be shown, not only in every town of importance throughout the United Kingdom, but in New Zealand and places abroad, where folks—some of them perchance Stafford people—will appreciate the bond of union and sympathy which is being formed to-day between us and our overseas cousins, who have fought, bled and died with our owji brave lads on the stricken fields of France and Flanders, and in distant theatres of war After capturing Samoa, driving the Turks out of Egypt, and giving the Huns on the Western front many a doughty blow, the New Zealand Rifle Brigade are now about to make their 12,000 miles journey back home- In wishing them goodbye and God-speed, I feel sure they will look back with the pleasantest of recollections on their stay in our neighbourhood, and will always have a warm corner in their hearts for the ancient borough and feel that we did not allow them to depart without a few words of farewell, a hearty cheer, and a ' Good-bye, Dinks.’ We should have liked to have had on' 1 own boys, who have so faithfully ser>-'( the same Empire, associated with their comrades-in-arms to-day, but, unfortunately, the time and circumstances rendered it impossible to make the' necessary arrangements, but this, I may say, is only the first of similar gatherings, when we hope to have the supreme pleasure of welcoming and entertaining our own lads whom the citizens of Stafford will delight to honour.” Continuing, the Mayor said: ‘ ‘ Colonel Shepherd, we thank you and your fellow soldiers for coming to help the Old Country, for coming so great a distance to help us, and for coming- so early in the progress of the war. From to-day ; because or our better acquaintance with, you, we shall take a deeper interest in the affairs of your country than we have done hitherto. We admit that in the management of some of your national concerns, especially education, at present you leave England far but when upon your arrival at home you report to your people where we stand in the matter of education, please to tell them that, although this country when compared with yours has for a long time been half asleep, she is now up, and will shortly be fully astir- The old order stands condemned: it is passing away. Rural England is going to be repopulated. In the towiis the slums are going to ho annihilated. Numerous r©- ; forms arc coming along, which, if we all do our part, will bring in a new era of peace and prosperity, of freedom and happiness in our beloved country, and from what I know of you I am sura that in that glad day none will_ rejoice with us more than our friends in New Zealand. Bub in this matter I may go a step further, for certainly, as far aa the people of Stafford are concerned, 1 am told that some of you are already, apd, judging from appearances, others are going to be not only our friends, but our relatives, bound to us by the sacred bond of marriage. To all such I sincerely and heartily wish much happiness, and trust that as tinie goes on this union of Stafford families with those of New Zealand will be an increasing and unmixed blessing, not only to us who are immediately concerned, but to the whole British Empire.” In conclusion, the Mayor said, with fitting emphasis, “Good-bye, Dinks; we won't forget yon.” The presentation flags—the Union Jack and New Zealand Ensign—were then unfurled, amid cheers, and, in handing them to Colonel Shepherd, the Mayor asked him to accept them and take them home “as a token of tho good feeling and best wishes of the p.eopie of Stafford to the popple, and especially the brave soldiers cf New Zealand.” (Cheers.) Colonel Shepherd suitably responded. He said it gave him great pleasure to he present on that meniornolo occasion to accept these kind testimonies of riieiidship and esteem from cue townspeople. He should also have great Pleasure in taking the flags to New Zealand, where they would be held in high favour by the people of the Dominion. Approximately 300,000 New Zealand troops had arrived in the Old Country at the call of Empire, and the reception and hospitality accorded them had been most gratifying and greatly appreciated by the troops and tho people of iNew Zealand. They would cairy bactc with them to New Zealand golden opinions of the people of the Old ln years 40 come they stuvln +lf 1 1 lapp . y memories of their stay in that district. They had had a fine opportunity of studying the economy S tT ial ' COn , diti l ons of this country, and they realised as never before the magnitude of the British Empire. This would result m a closer bond 1 of " nd S lp Mother, Conntw wbiol-, +1? Y mmi 9ns. in consequence of I “P ena Kstic spirit would be the an 4 d benefit accrue to * Empire Colonel Shepherd the Mnv ld c ’l eCr mg. presented to the Mayor a silk New Zealand Ensign, a pai ting gift to the town, on behalf New ? f d i members of the 1 Aeu Zealand Rifle Brigade, who had been associates with Stafford. half ot Abf + aCCepte l tlle Sift on be“,fn the townspeople, and said they uouJd prize thia beautiful flag immensely, and would use it on all suit2 6 0f C qt S 7 3 . + Jt would hel P the peoP|®, °| Stafford to remember that they had friends who were able to appreciate them, and who, though geographically far removed frtim them, were one ™ them m heart and purpose. three cheers were then heartily given for the Brigade, and the band having played the National Anthem, the ceremony was brought to a close. The troops, having re-fomed, then proceeded along 1 Greengate, and, in the presence of a largo concourse of people, marched past the Free Library, where the Mayor, standing on a small dais, took the salute. The band of the ' 2nd Leicester Regiment, under Band-.

maater-Sergeant O. 0. Turner, who present by permission of Major i V'ri-» Paul, played the New Zealand Rifle Brigade march as the troops went by, SPEECH BY THE HIGH COMMISSIONER.. In response to the Mayor’s invitation, the High Commissioner for New Zealand briefly addressed the assembly. i j™™red on behalf of the New Zealand Government and the people of the Dominion their thanks for the great kindness extended to the New Zealand troops in this country- He thoroughly endorsed the Mayor’s remarks that the ceremony that day was the beginning of a friendship that would last for all ™ me - fhere was no more loyal part of tho British Empire than their little Dominion of Now Zealand. Ninety per cent or their people wore either British horn or descendants of British parents, liiey re.ioiced in all that made for the success of the Mother Country: they were proud to belong to her, and proud ot her history and traditions. Although m some respects, Continued Sir Thomas, we imagine that wo may be a little in advance of you, still in other respects you lead the world, and never in tho history of the Old Country was this land peopled by a more virile and strenuous race than occupies it to-day. lucre may ho and there is an incrustation at the fop that presents the e expression and development or tho people of this country, hut all these things are changing and they require to change, because if they do not change you would find that the British Empire would begin to decay. Surely teat is something worth lighting for. and worth preserving. Allusion had been made to this glorious Empire, and lew ot- them realised what it meant His own country in his lifetime had neen transformed from a beautiful wilderness, and had sent to the war an army three times the size of the British Army that fought on the field of Waterloo. Regarding the extent of this great heritage they had in Australia and Canada alone territory equal to the whole of Russia and the United states put together. 'They wanted to cement and build up the 'Emmie, and the kindness extended to the New Zealand troops in that and 'other portions of tlie Old Country would help towards that end. If w 0 stand together, the speaker concluded, we shall be able to preserve the peace and prosperity of the world, but if we do not stand “united then ambitious and unscrupulous nations hke the Huns will enslave us bo let us stand together and co-operate ri! th n °-\ ir , English-speaking peonle in the United States. lam glad to know that our young fellows have conducted themselves here in a manner worthy of the traditions of the Old Country and tho traditions of our young country. (Cheers-) At tho call of the Mayor three cheers vere given for_ New Zealand, and the Hgu Comnussmncr called for cheers for Stafford and good old Britain " h’-'li were heartily given ’ mcc«„r r,Ule followed