NATIONAL RESERVE

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2681, 29 January 1916, Page 14

NATIONAL RESERVE

MEETING OF OFFICERS. A thoroughly representative meeting of officers of Group 5, i'Wellington Military District, was held in the headquarters room last evening, under the chairmanship of Major H. F. Davis, V.D. Commandant, and many matters relating to the welfare of' the Reserve wore discussed. The matter of forming an Officers' Club was held over for a late date, as it was the generally-expressed opinion that until the regulations, which have recently been under consideration, are Gazetted, it was felt, that these would materially lielp the Reserve, and put it on a sounder footing. . It was decided that the Church Parade bo liold as originally ordered, and all officers commanding endeavour t-o make as big a muster of it as possible. Considerable discussion took place on' the question of the Reserve helping at the 'send-otf of reinforcements, and the receptions of returned wounded soldiers, and a scheme was outlined whorebj* these functions might be considerably assisted, and a recommendation to that effect is to be made to the executive.

The recruiting meeting to be held on Saturday, February 5, was .postponed till a later date.

the matter of the platoon competition to be given in April, will meet no Monday, and formulate the conditions under which it is to be given, so that platoon commanders may have as long as possible in which to train their men. The staff instructional class, from which good results will accrue, advanced another stage,, and should be a source of great benefit to the whole of the Reserve. . These meetings of officers, which are to be held every month,'should do much to help for the betterment of the Reserve, and for tho exchange of ideas and suggestions, and put new life and vigour into this important movement. MASSED PARADE AT PETONE. Considerable interest was exhibited last evening at I'etone in the massed parade of tlie National Reserve. Quito a crowd-collected at tho railway station, where the men assembled, and through the main 6treet, from Victoria to Britannia Streets, a perfect avenue of • spectators, three or four deep, watched the march past. About IJU men took part in the parado, Major Wilford being in command. Representative's of tho Petone Unit, Hutt Unit, Railway Section, and Petone Ambulance Division, headed by the Petone Municipal Band, > marched to tho recreation grounds, where a half-circle was formed round -the grand-stand, and addresses delivered by several speakers.

Tho Mayor (Mr. J. W. M'Ewan) acted as chairman, and in the courso of a briof speech congratulated ,tho National llcservo on its splendid .turnout. Mr. M'Ewan added that it had been asked "of what use was the National Reserve, and in reply he would say that a body that had prepared 5000 men to go into action was of very great uso.. (Cheers.) He toek it that the primary function of the Reserve was to form a neucleus for home defence, and ho believed that if it-were possible for the enemy to attack these shoves, the National Reserve would not bo found wanting. (Applause.) Major Wilford thanked the members of the National Reserve for their splendid roll -up, and the way they had acquitted themselves. Tho number of reservists now reached 30,000,. and 5000 of them, after being prepared to stand fatigue, and trained in discipline, had gone t-o tho front, so there was reason to foel proud of such an achievement. Major Wilford then put forth an appeal for recruits. "Do you remember John Redmond's words: 'I say to the Irish people that they will bo for ever disgraced in history if they fail to send out relays to replenish the gaps that must tako place from time to time.'."? The speaker, stated that unless New Zealand replenished tho gaps she would be disgraced, but lie firmly believed the gaps would be filled. (Cheers.) In dealing with the question of conscription, the spoaker ventured the opinion that ho would love to see the war closed without conscription being necessary, but if the voluntary systcln failed they had to remember that, tho gaps must be filled.

Upon a show of hands being taken at the speaker's request, on the subject, a majority voted against conscription. "I take it," said the speaker, "that, you favour volunteering, and I: ask you now to prove what you say, and (pointing to the recruiting table) there is'only one way that you can do that." (Loud laughter and cheers.) Mr. Wilford concluded by referring to some of the atrocities committed by the Germans, and urged all eligible to enlist to do so on the spot.

Sergt.-Major Sampson, returned from Gallipoli, also put in a strong appeal for more men, stating that he fervently wished he could return, but on account of bullet wounds in the head and chest had been pronounced unfit. Tlie proceedings terminated with the singing of the National Anthem. CHURCH PARADE. A spccial parado of members of the National Reserve will, by direction of Major Davis, V.D., District Commander, Group 5, Wellington, be held at Upper Hutt on Sunday afternoon a"t 3 o'clock, and march to the school ground, where short appropriate addresses will be delivered by the clergymen and inspecting officers. If the weather is unfavourable the gathering ivill be held in the Record Hall. The parade is being held in memory of Captain A. J. Shout, V.C., Lieut. W. Balcombe-Brown, Sergt. Stan. Moore, Private A. C. Boyd, Private W. Minchin (sons of local, residents), Nurse Cavell, and the New Zealand Marquette nurses.-