The Dominion. MONDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1915. CHRISTMAS AND AFTER
. The local arrangements for the entertainment of tho troops in camp at Trcntham and May Morn during the Christmas holiday season were excellently carried_ out, and, judging from the expressions of appreciation which have reached us, the entertainment provided was thoroughly enjoyed by the men. To the Mayor and Mrs. Luke the credit is due for the admirable idea of the Christmas dinner at the camps, the success of which was universally acol,aimed. At the Soldiers' Club, too, entertainment and refreshments have been daily provided in liberal fashion, and this comfortable place of resort for soldiers on leave has now become a popular institution,- the value ,of which cannot be too highly praised." Wellington, indeed, can look with satisfaction to the efforts put forth to make the lot of those members of the Reinforcements in camp unable to get home for the Christmas season as happy and enjoyable as possible. The work of those who undertook the entertaining of the men and the providing of refreshments has been extremely heavy, and the ladies concerned who gave up their own holiday-making for the sake of showing their appreciation of the men who have responded to the call of the country, have had an arduous time. That they gave their services willingly and ungrudgingly, and, indeed, deemed it a privilege to do what lay within 'their power -to brighten the Christmas . season for' tho troops, is no reason why their admirable work should be lightly passed over. The part women can i play in this great war is less stirring and less spectacular than that of mon, but such as it is the women of New Zealand, and especially tho women of Wellington district, have risen splendidly _to the occasion. Few people outside the bands of workers at the different centres and at headquarters quite realise how much has been done by the women of the Dominion in connection with the war; and not the least of the tasks undertaken has been that of providing for the comfort and entertainment ,of the men when in camp and on leave. But with the passing of tho Christmas season - the country must once more seriously face the question of keeping up our supplies of reinforcements to maintain the strength of our forces in tho field, and lighten the burden of the gallant men already in the firing lines. The position there is described by a young Artillery officer writing to a friend in this Island, in a njanner which should pierce the indifference of the most selfish and self-complacent, and should stir tho sluggards a's no appeals from those who have noti witnessed and gone through tho experiences at the front can hope to do. It is not a pleasant but it is one that deserves the widest circulation at this time, when recruiting is-slack_ and'the call for men grows more insistent.
"Yes," the officer in question writes, "it is sad to think that Ncsbit, and hundreds of other good men would still be alivo and well and this campaign greatly altered and perhaps finished, had wo only had more young men, fresh reinforcements to relieve our poor follows who have been here for months on 'bully and biscuits.' I happened to be well up in tho front trenches on ttio 7th, Bth, 9th, and 10th of August, and saw' somo awful sights. Our poor chaps were slaughtered and bombed to pieces tiiul all for want, of tuoro young men, I think 1 hrvvo told you how 1 went uut to mu up, some iw bum into action ah
one of the days I have mentioned; ncll, there was one big sap just at the rear of where we were firing from full of wounded who lay for 28 hours suffering tortures during the hot dusty days with no ono to attend to them or give them water. This is only one illustration of what our hoys are suffering and all for the need of more men, more men. Do you know I'd just as soon turn the four good guns I have with nio oh those young men in New Zealand who aro hanging back as I \iould on a. party of Turks, who after all aro MEN and are playing their part damned well according to their lights. I heard a General say tho other day that had we had enough men in August at Anznc we should all have been on our way to France by now."
These are the opinions and sentiments, of a New Zealand, officer on the spot, who is writing from a firsthand knowledge of the conditions at Anzac. Our troops are no longer, at Anzac, but more men are just as urgently required to-day as they were when the words quoted were penned. Wo have been told that many young men have delayed enlisting until after the Christmas holidays. We shall see. within the next few days what this really means. Our reinforcements must bo lcept up, not only in' numerical strength but in the quality of the training afforded. To ensure this more men are wanted now. We owe it to the men already in tho fighting line—they need all the help we can send them as quickly as we can sent it—it would be a foul betrayal of those who are fighting so bravely for us to fail now in the slightest degree to supply them with the promised assistance.
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Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2653, 27 December 1915, Page 4
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915The Dominion. MONDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1915. CHRISTMAS AND AFTER Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2653, 27 December 1915, Page 4
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