THE NEW ZEALANDERS IN EGYPT

Horowhenua Chronicle, 2 March 1915, Page 4

THE NEW ZEALANDERS IN EGYPT

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On January iJth tUo New Zealand I forces in were paraded at their oauip at itauaix to hear the address o£ tne m i 11 Commissioner) tne Hon 1 nomas iViuck elicit:- 'JLne troops weie iormed in a noliow square with, the piuiiorm in the centre. About 11.30 a. m. the Hon Thomas Mackenzie, Sir George Keid, nigh Commissioner tor Australia and iiir donn. Or. Maxwell mounted the platform.

Without any preliminaries Mr Mackenzie began iiis sheecii. Aftei passing reiereuce to .bgypt he said, "lou are in training to do your part in one of the greatest and most awl ill wars the world has ever known. Your presence .her© litis uiso anotiicr puipose. Lord Kitchener, the man who leaves nothing to chance—and it is said that ne jvho so acts gains th evictory—knows the value to our Empire of the Suez Canal 'ihe keeping open of that Canal, which shortens the journey to India by 5000 ! miles, give us a powerful influence :u two hemispheres. The Suez Canal is called by some the weakest line in our Imperial chain and your presence here will have a considerable effect in poitecting or preserving that important highway. "I found on arrival here that an impression prevailed amongst many of you that you might not have an opportunity of serving at the front. You need have no uneasiness in that respect; as soon as you are fit your service will b? required. Your able commanders, assisted by your efficient officers, are doing all in their power to make you fit for | the work before you and with this the vast majority of you are able to com ply.

"•On one point I regard it to be my duty to say a word. New Zealand s honour is in your hands. You volunteered to go to the war and were selected while others were not for that responsible and dangerous service. You undertook a solemn obligation, namely to serve your King and Country faithfully. Supplications daily ascend to the Almighty from our homes tor your safetj and welfare. You are about to take your place with others in the greatest war the world has ever known. It will be sufficient to tax the enemy oi tile strongest and to daunt the couiage of the brave. But for you New Zealanders 1 liave no fear if only you are efficient; and efficient you must be to fulfil the obligation of your trust. Here in this city you are beset by temptations of the most serious and ruinous character. To those or you who may waver 1 would say taKe your courage .11 botu nands ana conquer. 1 am told tnat allowances uiuat ue inuue ior liumaii 11a-

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cimuitions. iou nave voluntarily acr.cu.eaiouiaeivus to a certain <iu*y wd lULll »L ic-suaiii yourselves until you nave ruinilea that amy, and coinpiy uiin -bora ivitcnener s wisiies regarding le.siSLing tempuition. 'ihink wiiat is at staKel SSot omy are the continuance ot HM woild's civilisation and the right ol sniaii countries to live under their own n.igs in tne balance, but the honour ot yuur women and the sanctity ol our nOiitfw is an stajie. 1 appeal mere!ore to \ou uo touiuiei'b, as wen, as /iea lanueis to ao your duty.

•'lull aro joined were by a lino banu. or lueu, -New Zealunders who i.uyp-ntjtl to be in iingiund when tlio war uioke out. They at once ottered their services, wlucli were accepted, aud for .some time they have been m training at Salisbury- To. Captains Lambion, Wright, and Simpson, Lieut Fitziierburt and other ofhceis in due no small mead of praise for the result. At the Lord Major's Show in London, -n which a detachment of New Zealanders took part, the London newspapers declared that tiiey were the smartest men 111 the procession, and on that great occasion they divided the honour of popular applause with such regiments as the London Scottish, who had just returned from their heroic work in Glanders, and the navai brigade just back from Antwerp. Their condition "has been such that wherever the nauie of New Zealand or a New Zealand man is mentioned it is received with respect and esteem Even in Cairo since I arrived I heard a lady say at an afternoon tea-party that the New Zealand troops were gentlemen. I mention this with no sense qf reflection upon other , but to show you that 1 know that your conduct here has been such as to make our people proud Indeed of the men New Zealand has sent.

"This war is not of our seeking. We want no territory, we ask for no concessions. The world was happy, contented and great prosperity prevailed in every land, one class only excepted, namely the restless and ruthless military class, and by reason of these men the whole world has been thrown into suffering outrage and ruin. Every effort was put •forward by the statesmen of Europe to preserve peace, and well may Sir Edward Grey say with Lord Dalhousie: I wanted peace, I have struggled for peace, but if you are bent on war then war you shall have with a vengance." And I will add that with the powerful help of our Allies we will not sheath the sword until the fearful wrongs inflicted have been as far as possible redressed and until the tyrant disturber of the world's peace shall have been eifectively and adequately dealt with."—The • Egyptian \1 nil.