CALL OF SERVICE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20130, 27 December 1939, Page 6

CALL OF SERVICE

DETAILS FAREWELLED SMALL DRAFT LEAVES A draft of five men, comprising details selected for duty with the First Echelon of the Second New Zealand Division, left Gisborne yesterday afternoon from the Abercorn Hall on their journey to Trentham. A large gathering of relatives and . friends took part in the farewell function, prior to which the departing men were served with refreshments by members of the Maori Women's Committee, led by Mesdames P. Tureia and W. P. Tamihana. This committee was winding up a month’s duty in connection with farewell functions, and now hands over the privilege to members of the Women’s Division of the Farmers' Union.

The readiness with which the men of the draft had accepted the call of service was commented upon by the Mayor, Mr. D. W. Coleman, M.P., who congratulated them on behalf of the Government and the townspeople of Gisborne. He said that these men had been selected for particular posts in the First Echelon, and would proceed overseas without final leave; that being so, he had the privilege of according them a final farewell on this occasion. He knew that they would carry out their duties as soldiers with credit to themselves, their district, and their country, and he hoped that it would not be long before the citizens of Gisborne had the opportunity to welcome them on their return to civilian life » Dictated By Patriotism

“If there ever was a war that was justified, this war is it. If there ever was a war in which New Zealand’s participation was dictated by the purest reason and patriotism, this war is it,” added Mr. Coleman. He was confident that this district would play its part throughout, in the same spirit that had encouraged these young men to accept the call of service. (Applause).

On behalf of the Gisborne Returned Soldiers’ Association, Major A. S. Muir extended comradely greetings to men of the Second Division, and offered the services of the organisation in adjusting any outstanding matters which the men had not been able to complete. “We as veterans know something of the problems of soldiers, and we have men in our ranks who will feel it a privilege to do these jobs for you, and will do them well,” he said. The draft later departed amidst a display of enthusiasm on the part of the gathering, hearty cheers being raised at the call of the Mayor.