TO HELP OUR ALLIES

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2332, 14 December 1914, Page 6

TO HELP OUR ALLIES

SECOND REINFORCEMENTS

INSPECTED BY THE GOVERNOR

The public Were given the first opportunity on Saturday afternoon of seeing the men of the Second Reinforcements collected together, when they paraded in Newtown Park for inspection by His Excellency the Governor (Lord Liverpool). • There was an attendance of about 7000 at the park, while thousands watched the soldiers inarch through tho 6treets.. The appearance of the men who are going to join the Main Force was very impressive. In marked contrast to the first volunteers, these men are much older; and of more experience. The training which they have undergone for the last few weeks was apparent in their vigorous swing as'they marched along to the park. When' drawn up in- the enclosure they made a fine sight, • and His Excellency,- accompanied by the Prime Minister (the Right Hon., W. F. Massey), the Minister of Defence (Hon. J. Allen),..the Hon. F. M. B. Fisher, Colonel Robin, and other Staff officers, spent some time over the inspection. Address by His Excellency. After inspecting the men, His Excellency addressed them. He hoped that they would meet with a successful issue to their undertaking when they went abroad. Ho wanted, to impress upon them the necessity of keeping absolutely fit. He hoped all the officers and non-commissioned officers would do so. He had no doubt that they would do their besb to keep themselves fit and well, and gaiii the reputation which he thought, personally; the citizen army of this country had so well earned already. Their companions 'who left these shores in October were serving alongside other .citizen troops of the Empire. He had not the least doubt but that they would uphold the credit of these islands and the -Empire. After they had done their preliminary training they were goiug to fight alongside troops who would then have been in the field over a year. He knew they would give a good, account of themselves. It would not be easy at first for them to adapt themselves' to the methods of the regular troops, but they would have had. the training of the regular troops then. From a»l dependencies of the Crown the men who had gone forth were not only determined, but had given a good account of themselves. -He had not the least fear that the Second Reinforcements - would do the same. He could assure them that a hearty welcome would await their return, and he'hoped that he would be one ot those to welcome them once more to this land. ■Mr. Massey's Well Wishes. . The rrime itiiuister {Ma uignt. Hon. W. F.' j&assev) said, that w speaking: on behalr of the people ot JNew Zealand, he would like to say that tney were people who thought imperially. They were all proud, not only of'the response that had come from this country, out of tne response that had come rroin every jJomiui'on in the Empire. . The war, however dreadful it might be, had had the effect of bringing out the best characteristics of, their race, the determination to do their, duty whatever the cost might be-; the determination to stand by their friends and' allies, and keep the Empire . together, and maintain it at its highest point. He had not the slightest doubt they, would do their share .when the time came. ' It was satisfactory to know that' on every occasion they had been called on from this land, whether as soldiers or sailors, they had done their duty and distinguished themselves. The end of the war was not yet in sight, much as they, would like to see it, and in .all probability they would have the privilege of assisting in the making of history, and assisting to the end, when righteousness and liberty ■ would prevail over cruelty and despotism. He thought that they would be*a credit to the Enir pire, and, have many opportunities of doing their duty. He had only one thing to say: he hoped, that He who watches over us and slumbers not would watch over each and every one, and bring them back safely to their own country and their own friends.

'Fight as Soldiers and Men. The Minister of Defence (the Hon. Jas. Allen) said that they were going as soldiers. He hoped thoy would fight as soldiers,' and would meet the men New Zealand had already' sent. But they yere going as something more than soldiers—they were 'going as citizens of New Zealand, and those in New Zealand wanted the soldiers to bring back the fair name of New Zealand with fresh laurels added. Ho knew they would bear themselves well as soldiers, but thoy would meet with other men and other people, and he wa-s very anxious, and he was sure all New Zealanders w.ere very' anxious, .that they should bear themselves as true men when they met those other people. He wished ,them good, luck, and hoped they would come safely back, bringing with - thein those of the Forces who had already gone. The Mayor of Wellington (Mr. J. P. Luke) also spoke to the men. He said they were making sacrifices for the nation, and_ the others left behind also making sacrifices. The united sacrifice would be for the bringing about of a lasting peace. , A short religious service was conducted by Archdeacon Harper, Major Chaplain Shirer, and the Rev. W. Chapman. Mr. Massey then called upon the general public to give three cheers for the representative of the King, His Excellency the Governor. These were given with great vigour, and cheers were also given for Mr. Massey. Tho soldiers then marched past His Excellency, and proceeded again to town.. The streets were lined right from Newtown to the'heart of the city, and the men received a great number of well-wishes. ■ . The Parade State. Tho units on parade were:—. Staff. Commander: Lieutenant-Colonel E. R. Bowler, 7th (.Southland) Mounted Rifles. Mounted Rifles. : Auckland Mounted Rifles Regiment: Captain H. S. Whitehorn, late honorary captain, Commonwealth Military Forces. Canterbury Mounted Rifles Regi-' ment: Captain G. S. S. Hardy, Bth (South Canterbury) Mounted Rifles.' Otago Mounted Rifles Regiment: Lieutenant E. S. Perry, 7th (Southland) Mounted Rifles Wellington Mounted Rifles Regiment: Major W. F. Levin. Infantry. Auckland Infantry Battalion: Lieutenant H. G. Richardson, Coast Defence Detachment, 3rd (Auckland) Regiment (Countess.of Ranfurly's Own). Canterbury Infantry Battalion: Lieiitenant L..J. Gibbs, 13th (North Canterbury and Westland) Regiment. Otago Infantry Battalion: \ Major G. Mitchell, Bth (Southland) ' Regiment. Wellington Infantry Battalion: Major A. B. Charters, 17th (Ruahine) Regiment. Signal Company. Lieutenant H. C. Mackenzie, Unattached List (1)). Divisional Train (One Company). Lieutenant J. B. Whyto, Retired List. Army Pay Department (at Base). Captain S. J. Bolton, Post and Telet graph Corps.

Now Zealand Army Service Corps. Second Lieutenant G. E. Eliott. Howitzer Battery. Captain N. S. Falla, B Battery, New Zealand Field Artillery. Field Artillery Brigade. Lieutenant P. B. Greenkough, Auckland Garrison Artillery. Two Mobile Veterinary Sections. Captain C. S. Simpson (No. 1); Captain W. G. C. Smith (No. 2). Two Veterinary Sections. Captain D. H. Machattie (No. 1); Captain D, H. Rait (No. 2). New Zealand Chaplains. Rev. C. E. O'H. Tobin Rev. G. H. Gavin, Rev. Angus Macdonald,; Rev. Father Robert Richards. ' New Zealand Medical Corps. Major A. C. M'Killop, R.A.M.C. (Mounted Brigade Field Ambulance).