OFF TO CAMP.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 1440, 24 August 1915, Page 3

OFF TO CAMP.

FOXTON CONTINGENT PUBEICEY FAREWEEEED. The first public farewell, as, far as Foxton is concerned, to the men who are joining New Zealand’s Expeditionary Force was given to the eight men from this district who left Foxton 'yesterday afternoon to go into camp with the Eighth Reinforcements. When it became known that the local men would be leaving Foxtou by the afternoon train yesterday, the Borough Band made arrangements to meet them at the Couucil Chamber and escort them to the railway station and the Mayor (Mr A. Fraser) and the Rev W. Raine were invited to make speeches. The public was only notified of the proposed farewell ceremony on .Saturday afternoon, and on account of the short notice it was anticipated that the attendance would not be very large. However, the Foxton public showed their appreciation of the sacrifices that are being made by the men volunteering for service by turning out in very large numbers to bid them farewell. From just before two o’clock onwards people began to congregate in front of the Council Chamber and by 2.15 o’clock the crowd numbered several hundreds. The Borough Band played “The National Anthem,” followed by “Red, White and Bine” and “Tokio.” They then formed* up ’ in front of the Foxton members of the Eighth Reinforcements and marched to the railway station, playing on the way “Westbnry.” At Clyde Street the School Cadets joined the procession. At the station farewell speeches were delivered by the Mayor and Rev W. Raine. The Mayor said that iu biddirg farewell to the men, who were now going into camp for training prior to proceeding to the seat of war, he wished to convey to them the respect and admiration of their fellow townspeople who were proud to know that they had heard and answered the call of duty—a call which never in the history of the British nation was so imperative as it was to day—their King and Country needed them as they never needed them before. The terrible war in which the Empire was at present engaged was a struggle for freedom and justice, for liberty to live in peace Fee from the tyranny of the mailed fist and free from the menace of Prussian militarism. He asked them to picture to themselves the fate of Britain and her Colonies, if the Germans succeeded In getting a foo'thold there. Everyone bad heard of the terrible atrocities committed in Belgium and as the hatred of Britain was so pronounced there was no doubt that if they were able to commit atrocities in England they would if possible be more vile than those which the Belgians suffered, “It were better that In firing flames the roofs should thunder down, than that the foot of foreign foes should trample in your towns.” Britons from all over the world were fighting with the fixed and irrevocable resolve to never sign peace until the power aud might of Germany had been absolutely crushed and broken, and she was rendered incapable of disturbing the peace of the world for the next hundred years. When that had been accomplished and peace once more reigned what greater satisfaction, he asked, could any man have than to be able to say that he was one of those who took part in the great war to set men free, and to be able to describe to his neighbours and children how he fared in those stirring days, Mr Fraser said that those who from various causes were compelled to stay at home envied those who were able to go to fight in such a good and noble cause, and felt sure they would worthily uphold the credit and honour of New Zealand in general aud Foxton in particular. Upon their arrival at the seat of war people in this district would anxiously scan the papers for news of them, aud if any should come back sick or wounded they could rely on getting all the help and sympathy it was possible to give. In conclusion Mr Fraser said that no doubt they would have to face some hardships and would perhaps find military discipline somewhat irksome at first, but he knew they would all play the game and cheerfully do all that was rerequired of them. The Rev W. Raine also addressed the men, his speech being of a very enthusiastic and stirring character, aud was listened to with rapt attention. Go behalf of the men, Mr M. D. O’Reilly briefly returned thanked for the cordial farewell tendered them and said they would all do their duty and he hoped would not give anyone cause to say that they had shirked any of their responsibilities. The band played several selections and as the men entrained played “God be With You Till We Meet Again,” followed by the National Anthem as the train drew out or the station. As the train left the men were loudly cheered by the crowd at the station. The men who left were : Messrs R. A. Burnett, W. Cottingham, J. P. Collins, E. J. Colson, A. Hensman, M. D. O’Reilly, D. F. Walls and E. T. B. Wallis.