LONG, LONG TRAIL

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20131, 28 December 1939, Page 6

LONG, LONG TRAIL

TROOPS FOR OVERSEAS FINAL LEAVE OVER LIVELY MORNING CROWD PUBLIC PAYS TRIBUTE First Echelon soldiers who left Gisborne this morning to return to their respective camps, after a fortnight's final leave, must have carried with them the warmest recollections of the public tribute paid to them at the point of departure. Between 2000 and 3000 people of all ages crowded Peel street and a portion of Gladstone road, and farewelled the Main Body men with enthusiasm and deep emotion evoked by the knowledge that on them will fall a heavy initial share of New Zealand’s war effort. Though the crowd was large, the number of men in uniform, some of these ,of course, being Second Echelon troops on Christmas and New Year leave, made a deep impression, and helped to reveal to many of the onlookers at the farewell the strength of Gisborne's representation in the Dominion’s fighting forces. Several men in air force blue assisted in sending off their comrades of other arms of the service, and another contribution to the colour of the farewell function was provided by the W.E.C.M.R. Band, which paraded in field dress. Cheerful Setting for Farewell The setting for the function was bright and cheerful, the street-light-ing system having been reinforced by festoons of coloured electric lamps, and a liberal display of bunting having been prepared by the municipal authorities and by occupiers of Peel street premises.

The early morning being fine, the outdoor function passed oft without a hitch, and when all the personal farewells had been said, and the speeches, made, Gisborne’s men for the First Echelon drove off to the strains of “The Long, Long Trail,” appropriate enough in view of the prospect of active service which all seemed to contemplate with the utmost satisfaction.

The feelings of the public were voiced by three speakers, the Mayor, Mr. D. W. Coleman, M.P., addressing the gathering on behalf of the Gisborne Borough Council and the electorate, Mr. F. T, Robinson, deputising for the chairman of the Cook County Council, Mr. W. G. Sherratt, and Mr. P. W. Bushnell, speaking for the executive of the Gisborne Returned Soldiers' Association. War On Oppression and Injustice The Mayor expressed keen satisfaction with the interest shown by the public iu the farewell function, and said that it should hearten any man to know that his service was appreciated so keenly. It was a terrible thing that men should have to go and fight against others with whom they had no personal quarrel, simply because of the ambition and greed of the rulers of one country in Europe. On the part of the Allies, it was a war against oppression and injustice ( however, and Britain had engaged in it to stay the hands which had snatched and shattered Czechoslovakia, murdered Poland, and threatened similar fates to every country not powerful enough to protect itself. Could Britain have stood by and witnessed unmoved such barbarism as had been launched upon the smaller States of Europe, he asked?

“I am one of those who believe that Britain did all in her power to abstain from hostilities, even to the extent of accepting humiliation. We have heard the Prime Minister of Great Britain charged with all sorts of crimes against humanity for his part in the endeavour to avoid war throughout Europe,” said Mr. Coleman. “Britain stood apart until it was no longer possible to do so, and preserve her honour —until the time came when she could do nothing less than declare herself at war with murderers and oppressors." Gisborne’s Proud Record As the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage, had stated-, when the Empire was at war New Zealand was at war, continued the Mayor. Britain’s fight for democracy, justice and liberty was New Zealand’s fight, and it was right that people should be proud of the young men who were going out to take part in that fight. He was particularly proud of the young men of Gisborne, for their excellent response to the call of duty, and to those of the First Echelon who shortly would sail overseas, he offered the profound hope that God would bless and protect them, and bring them safely home again.

Warm applause and rousing cheers followed the Mayor’s speech, and his remarks were endorsed by Mr. Robin-

A farewell message to the men of the new division was expressed by Mr. P. W. Bushnell, on behalf of the veterans of the Great War. He congratulated them on their selection, and on the opportunity of service which many of the veterans would sincerely envy them; though they deplored the necessity for again sending New Zealand’s sons out to make the sacrifices exacted of the previous generation.

Second Echelon Quota

The men of the First Echelon would worthily uphold the record of the N.Z.E.F., added Mr. Bushnell, and the men from this district would do its past record full justice. It was a matter for satisfaction that Gisborne could fill its quota for the Second Echelon to-day, and he felt proud of the response of this district to the country’s need. “You men of the First Echelon,” continued Mr. Bushnell, “comprise a privileged body of men, for you will b'e the advance guard of the Second New Zealand Division, a corps which promises to rival the old N.Z.E.F., in performance under active service conditions, just as we know the old spirit is manifesting itself in the performances of New Zealanders in the air force and the navy already in contact with the enemy.” (Applause.) “There is a duty cast upon all of us who remain to see that the new division is reinforced and supported by by the echelons which will follow this one overseas.” Gift Parcels for the Tnjops The speaker extended an offer of the services of the Returned Soldiers’

Association to the troops, in any direction in which its help might be needed either now or later. He wished them

“bon voyage” and a speedy return, to the welcome which would await them in “this beautiful country of ours.” The speech was warmly applauded, and occasion was taken by the Mayor to express thanks to the Poverty Bay Women's Central Representation Committee for the prepax-ation of gift parcels which were handed to the soldiers before their departure. Only a few minutes behind schedule, the cars were loaded and moved off between the ranks of returned soldiers, whose guard of honour was supported and extended by enthusiastic citizens, the last of whom waved and called their personal farewells at points well along Gladstone road.