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ANZAC DAY.

RECRUITING MEETING

The meeting held in the Masonic Hall on Tuesday night to commemorate Anzac Day, welcome home the returned soldiers, and to assist recruiting, was very largely attended, the seating capacity of the building being fully occupied. The Mayor (Mr A. Fraser) occupied the chair, and briefly introduced the speakers, Dr Newman, M.F., and Mr E. .F Hadfield, of Wellington. Dr Newman referred to' the magnitude of the present struggle ; the whole strength of the nation was required, and it was the bounden duty of all to do everything possible to bring the war to a successful issue. People did not seem to realise how serious the position is, and it was absolutely necessary that every available man should go. When the war first started there was no difficulty in getting the recruits required—there was always a good reserve ; but now that reserve was exhausted, and difficulty was being experienced in getting the number required each month. He referred to the splendid record that bad been achieved in New Zealand by the voluntary system. In twenty months of war no less than 55,000 men had been sene away or were in training. That was indeed a record to be proud of, but they were now approaching a stage where they were faced with a shortage of recruits, and it seemed to him that conscription would have to come. Recruits were required for the next two detachments, and they were coming in very slowly. The country was pledged to send 2,350 men every four weeks, and if these men could not be obtained under the voluntary system, then conscription would have to be resorted to. The speaker referred to the number ot men that had been lost in France, and said that that country had almost no reserves left. The strength of the forces had to be kept up, and it was therefore necessary that every available man should go. England was sending 50,000 men a month, and in order to do this it had been found necessary to conscript the single men, and they would also have to take the married men. He had found throughout New Zealand a large number of people who were indifferent about the war, and also employers of labour who referred to the trouble they would have in getting labour if more men were sent. But, he asked, what would be the position if Germany won the war ? These men would lose everything. There were still in New Zealand a large number of young men who wanted to go to the front but who. were prevented from doing so by their mothers and fathers and friends. Those who prevented others from going were nothing more than slackers and shirkers. He appealed to the people of this district to place no obstacle in the way of those who wished to do their duty. As far as compulsory service was concerned, it meant equality of sacrifice, and it was only fair that all should do their duty. A number of young men were getting married in order to dodge their responsibilities, but he could tell those men that when compulsory service was brought into operation men who had married during the war would be treated as single men. Many married men were enlisting, but he did not think that men with four or five children should go while there were single men and married men with one or two children, available. He appealed to the eligible young men to go voluntarily in preference to being sent as conscripts.

Mr Hadfield referred to the splendid achievements of the New Zealanders at Gallipoli which proved that the training they were getting in New Zealand fitted them to take their place alongside of any other soldiers. The speaker said that if peace were declared now it would be a victory for Germany. So far the allied forces had only succeeded in holding the colossal power oi Germany, and that was not winning the war. A win on points was no good. It was absolutely necessary if there was to be a lasting peace, that Prussian militarism should be crushed. Last year the Allies’ great advance was prevented through shortage of munitions, and now that the munition shortage had been overcome there was a shortage of men. Men were wanted urgently, and he appealed to those able to do so to band in their names at once.

Both speakers were attentively listened to, and heartily applauded at the conclusion of their addressess.

On behalf of the Patriotic Society and citizens, the Rev W. Raine extended a very hearty welcome back to the Foxton men who had been invalided home. He referred to the gallant deeds of the Anzacs at Gallipoli, and said he was proud to know that Foxton was represented at the landing. During the evening vocal items were contributed by Mr Aitken, Mrs Freeman, Mrs and Miss Greig. and Miss Signal. On the motion of Mr Kellow, the speakers were accorded a very hearty vote of thanks. In speaking to the motion, Mr Kellow said that he was sorry that Foxton had turned down the recruiting scheme, but he was quite prepared to assist if some . others could he induced to take it up. He asked if Dr Newman would give them a lead as to the best method ol stimulating recruiting. Dr Newman said that according to the National Register there were 400 men of military age m

and around Fexton who had stated they were willing to join the Expeditionary Forces. and he thought it highly desirable that a committee should be set up to make a personal canvas. A vote of thanks to the chair concluded the meeting, after which refreshments were handed round. MEMORIAL SERVICJ3.

The united religious sendee to have been held in the Coronation Hall on Anzac Day, was unavoidably abandoned owing to the. absence of the Revs. Bredin and Rowe. At All Saints’ Church, a short memorial service was hold hy the vicar, the Rev. W. Raine, who chose for his text, Ex. iv., 20, “And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto you, ‘What mean ye hy this service.’ ” The vicar said: No words can he more appropriate than these for our first memorial service. The service was to mark the deliverance of a race of people, who hy their imprisonment had been chastened and purified, were led forth hy God, to re-enter their own country and ro-make their national life, and the service was to he an undying memorial of their deliverance. The speaker went on to say how in every life, both national and individual, there are many anniversaries, some of joy and some of sadness, hut today one of the greatest in New Zealand’s history, there are many lessons to learn. All parents have joy in the. thought of their growing and developing children, man’s joy over his own accomplishments, our joy in our nation’s manhood which lias stood (he sternest of all tests, “the test of war,” in such a wonderful and magnificent way. All great movements demand self sacrifice and Britain’s greatness was due to the self-sacrifice of her sons. New Zealand’s greatness will lie measured similarly. No war hitherto has boon paralleled for size and sweep of devastating bloodshed. St. Mark’s Day, 1915, tells of the magnificent. feat of arms on that rocky beach, and the. scrub-covered heights of the peninsula —feats which will never he outshone and scarcely over have been rivalled. By dauntless gallantry, the feat was accomplished and the record, a portion of the Empire’s heritage forever. It ha sgiven ns an example to emulate, an ideal to live up to, a blazoned trail to the heights of human endeavour. It will stir the hearts and stimulate the patriotism of many a generation of young Britons yet unborn. And who did this? It was not the. achievement of some world-renowned disciplined veteran corps, hut men whom we knew and honoured, who gained strength hy lighting the stern forces of nature —men skilled in games, who a few months ago were following their peaceful vocations; hut the call “To arms! To arms!” rang out, and was answered in the wonderful way we have before our eyes. But is this a!!. Do we admire only? The speaker then went on to toll of the great message of hope in the life hereafter, and the Easter message. “There is no death hut life everlasting.” Death, the birth into a full life with nobler opportunities, more developed powers, and the opening of their eyes, closed in death, to a. glorious sunlight, a light that never was, on sea or land. And so we leave our fallen heroes in the hands of Christ. The minister urged upon all those who wore eligible, the imperative duly of “Hoeing the thing through,” and not to let the call pass unheeded, or the sacrifice lie in vain, hut to remember, too, that the blood that, has been shed, has not been shed in vain,' and not to Australians and New Zealanders alone —hut to men of every race, throughout the British Empire .the peninsula of Gallipoli will forever be sacred ground, because of the brave men who lie buried there. “In glory they sleep, in endless sanctity.” “THE ANZACS’ FAREWELL.” Goodbye old ehnm —a last goodbye For we have word to up and go. We fought together, yon and 1, And lord! It was a lively show. We took our gruel with the best And I could envy .Von your rest, Under your little cross up there.

What did we gain the long months through, For such a price as you have paid; And thousands more who fell like you, The gallant boys who came—and stayed? Not much, perhaps in guns, or ground, But just the sort of name that clings, For “Anzac,” all the world around, Stands for a lot of useful things. You helped to make it though your breath Is still forever, find your fame, Shall speak of high contempt of death To those who never heard your name. Goodbye, but while the Turkish shells Fall harmless on our vacant lines Above that hard won hell of hells, For me a crimson stony shines.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/MH19160427.2.11

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1543, 27 April 1916, Page 3

Word count
Tapeke kupu
1,714

ANZAC DAY. Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1543, 27 April 1916, Page 3

ANZAC DAY. Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1543, 27 April 1916, Page 3

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