FEILDING SPECIAL FORCE MEN

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 302, 22 December 1939, Page 3

FEILDING SPECIAL FORCE MEN

Civil Farewell Last Evening PRESENTATIONS MADE Citizens of Feilding and district last evening gathered at the Majestic Theatre to take part in the civic sendoff to members of the Special Force who had enlisted in the district. A short concert programme was followed by brief addresses, after which members of the Special Force were entertained at supper by the Feilding branch of the Returned Soldiers’ Association. Apologies for absence from the proceedings were received from a number of the men who were visiting other parts, and those present to receive the presentation of a wallet in which was enclosed a 10s note, the whole of which was subscribed by the public of Feilding, were: R. E. Edmundson, R. M. Hosken, F. W. Hcffcrinan, J. Y. Jaggard, L. Lament, C. Peck, R. J. Sim, F. G. Worsfold, Bennett, J. Cockrane, Pask, Pleasants, Bickers, McKinlay (2), Draper, Cherry and Reeve. The excellent concert programme was arranged by Mr. T. Collins, who is to be congratulated on the success of the concert. Addressing the gathering the Mayor (Mr. T. L. Setldon) said:— “We are assembled here this evening to say au revoir to the men from Feilding and district who shortly sail overseas, and to wish them a safe return. “I do not intend to make a speech, and I am sure you do not want to hear one. But I would just say this: We kuow that you cherish no illusions as to the nature of the struggle in which we are engaged and the magnitude of the task before you. We know also that the traditions of our race will be nobly upheld and, like the men of the Achilles, you will count n-o danger too great,’ no foe too strong. “You have the right to expect that as you do your duty so shall we do ours. If we have any faith in our democratic institutions, it demands that the burdens shall be shared by all, and sacrifice our common lot. A potential foe exists in every person who refuses to recognise that. Not only has the war to be won on the battlefield, but also on the home front. We must be prepared to put into tho field all our resources if we are to preserve the eternal truths of the past and protect the hopes of the future. “You have answered the call to duty. We pray that Almighty God will have you in His keeping and that wc shall one day be able to welcome you home safe and sound: ” Hon. J. G. Cobbe, M.P., said that Feilding could look back with pride to the record of the district in the Great War, and he felt that those who were going forward to-day would do honour to their district aud the country. Men in khaki were always modest. They came from the life of pleasure and ease and had chosen the life of danger that the country may continue to enjoy the ease and plenty that they had enjoyed. They had no easy task before them, but the country looked to them to live up to the high standard set by those who fought on Gallipoli and in France. They would never let down New Zealand aud he hoped to have the opportunity of welcoming them home again. (Applause). Mr. B. McLeod (president of the Feilding branch of the R.S.A.) conveyed the heartfelt good wishes of the returned soldiers of the district. They, he said, were right behind the members of the Special Force. No one was taking a deeper interest in the activities of members of the Special Force than the R.S.A. He went on to remind the guests of the evening that they were about to enter upon an adventure in which they would lay the foundation of a wonderful association. The R.S.A. wished to help in every way, and while away he asked that members of the Special Force would make the greatest use of the New Zealand R.S.A. He felt that those about to leave should feel proud of the fact that they constituted the man to-day in the first echelon. “Wc admire the spirit that prompted you to give up well-paid jobs to serve King and country,’’ said Mr. McLeod.

“And now the Old Guard bids farewell to the New Guard and may God guard and bless you,’’ he concluded. (Applause). The Mayor explained the position regarding the organisation for tho collection of patriotic funds. There was the national patriotic fund and the provincial fund, while there was also a local patriotic committee collecting funds for dealing with the send-offs to Feilding and district soldiers. The Mayor said that the money collected locally was to be spent on behalf of the men of the district.

Contributors to the programme were: Mr. S. R. Johnson (songs, “The Trumpeter’’ and “Invictus”), Miss Guy (“Roses of Picardy’’ and “If You’re in Love You’ll Waltz’’), J. Fleetwood and son (cornet duets), Mrs. Cameron (songs, “One Day when We were Y r oung” and “Ah Sweet Mystery of Life’’), Miss Hiha (songs, “Waiata Poi” and “I’ve Lost My Heart in Maoriland’’), Mr. Wright (popular airs, piano accordion), girls from Kai Iwi Pa (poi dances), Miss Short (elocutionary items).