"ONE BROTHERHOOD"

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2979, 17 January 1917, Page 5

"ONE BROTHERHOOD"

VOLUNTEERS AND BALLOTED MEN

CAMP COMMANDANT'S ADDRESS

The 25th Infantry Reinforcements and the officers and n.c.o.'s of the 27th and 28th, were paraded in Barton's paddooks, at Trontham yesterday forenoon and addressed by tho Camp Commandant, Lieutenant-Colonel H. JR. Potter. .. ■

"I always make a practice of addressing new troops when they come in," said Colonel Potter. "Before Igo on with .what'l have to say to-day, I want to mention.that you are a different draft—you and the 24ths—from preceding drafts, inasmuch as you have amongst you a. number of balloted men. What I wish to emphasise is this: I want to.see no difference whatever, no 'throwing-oft' , —and I know you wont do it—among the men who werq drawn in the ballot and those who enlisted. We are not to be judges of the men who did not enlist but waited for the ballot. It is quite possible the majority of them had very valid reasons for refraining from offering their services previously. We. know that when a man is drawn in the ballot and comes into camp he will do his bit. You will all pull'together. You are here belonging to one brotherhood, out for one special object, and here for a specific purpose, namely, to uphold the inherent and sacred tenets of British freedom, the humanitarian- principles of equity, j.ustice, and righeousness, and the glorious unsullied traditions of the Old Flag under which we are all so proud to serve!"

Tiie Living Forco that Wins. ■ Colonel Potter went on to say that the men were soldiers now and must acquire discipline, the living force which turned a crowd of men into an army, and which, was necessary for the safety, efficiency, and comfort of the army in the field. "You have a high name to live up to, and you are going to meet the finest trained troops in the world. But it , has been proved that men who have been through the training caiups of New Zealand aro a matoh and more than a match for the trained

hordes of Europe. Colonial troops have proved to tho Germans that they are prepared to play the game in the lifo and death struggle. | "This is not a war of aggrandisement, it is a war for the .'existence of free nations, and if tho Germans won this young country would come under German rule. You aro fighting for your country and your liberty, and when

you get hold of that idea properly it will help you to- fight in the great cause: Now you aro a part and parcel of the British Army, and I want you to take a pride in your corps, your battalion, and your division, and play the game."

Withstand Temptations. Of the temptations which tbo Oily has for the man and youth in khaki, the Colonel spoke, awl lie especially warned the men against designing women who made lovo to soldiers in. order to secure his allotment of pay. "She is a very wily female," said Colonel Potter. "She makes love to you, slio is keen to get a boy of the Reinforcements. Bui; she only does it 1.0 get you to make her an allotment. Look out for these designing females." In contrast to this warning was the request to the men to respect the ladies of Wellington who had provided for

them a Soldiers' Club, and who gave their time and money in making their stay in Wellington pleasant. A man who insulted one of these women was nothing but a blackguard. "Not only be soldiers, but bo gentlemen with it. Let me have no complaints from the 25th Reinforcements," was Colonel Potter's adjuration. "You are soldiers of the King now," said Colonel Potter in conclusion. "You belong to a, grand little army, nn army that lias mado a. namn before tho world, and that wo are all proud of. You are going to fighb as soldiers of a country that is essentially a, part of the British Empire.- Whon T put that to you, T know oaoh mnn of you will play the game, as » soldier should."