TERRITORIAL SMOKO.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 80, 3 August 1915, Page 2

TERRITORIAL SMOKO.

FAREWELL TO VOLUNTEERS. The members of "D" Company. ( XI. Regiment (Taranaki Rifles), last ( night tendered a smoke concert at afio Medina to members of the Company who are leaving shortly lor the front. About seventy were present at the function, several being in uniform. Surgeon-Captain Steven, M. 0., presided Among those present were His Worship the Mayor (Mr J. W. Boon), Mr W !'• Kirkwood (Chairman ot the l Patriotic Committee), and Veteran J. Rowe,' of the K.C.Y. Apologies for unavoidable, absence were received from Mr .T. B. ffine, MP., Mr W Lander (Home Defence Corps), and several others. The arrangements were in the hands of a committee, comprising the non-commissioned officers and Lieutenant Gray, who was chairman of committee, with Sergeant M alone as secretary and treasurer. The function of last evening was the of its kind and of its purpose I held in Stratford by the Territorials, and was voted on all sides a pleasant and enjoyable one. . In opening proceedings, the chairman asked all to stand and drink the health of His Majesty the King. Ibis was done in loyal and hearty style, while the National Anthem was sung by the company. "Supper was then laid, and every justice done to the good tilings provided by The Medina. Merry jokes passed around the festive board, and under the comforting influence ot the supper and company everyone were in the best of moods. Surgeon-Captain Steven, m op#nmg the toast list, asked the gathering to fill their glasses to the "pretties," and drink to the most important toast ol the evening, that of the men who were leaving for the front, who were the guests of the evening. They and all those who had left Stratford were 'til© cream of the district. In his capaeifcv Jis medical officer, he had to inspect M'em and decide whether they were physically and medically fit. A large percentage of those offering in Stratford were fine specimens of mahhood and vitality. They would hold their o«n with recruits from anywhere else hi New Zealand. On the other hand, there were others who were rejected as unlit for weaknesses which to them seemed trivial, but which were really serious. But those who had passed and who were the guests ol the evening were going forth to fight for us, and, if necessary, to die loins. There was no greater love than that lor which a man would lay down his life for his friend. These men were sacrificing everything to lay down their lives for their friends. He wished them God-speed and a sale

return. 'Hie toast was heartily drunk to the accompaniment of "They're jolly good fellows," aud hearty cheers were given,, for the men. Sergeant Malone then sang "Hullo There! Little Tommy Atkins," and the British Army's battle-cry "Here we Are!" was sung as an encore. Sergeant-Major J. Voyle returned thanks for the hearty manner in which the toast had been honored. He was glad that he was one of the lucky ones to pass the doctor, aud to be able to get away to do his bit for the Empire. He recognised that everybody could not. go, and those who were so placed hud his sympathy. He would do his best to keep his end up and hoped to return when the war was over. Sergeant Davis said that he had been asked to keep his windpipe clear to make a speech, but the good things provided and also the feeling manifested in the honouring of the toast had rather blocked it. However, he wished to say that he was glad to get away and would do his Ibest always. Biflemen Bennett, Walsh, Crighton, Thompson (2), and Bugler Robson also replied. Rifleman Syme then favoured the gathering with an admirable recitation of Kipling's "Cunga Din." His rendering was good and met with hearty applause. Mr W. P. Kirkwood then proposed the toast of "The Kxpeditionnry Forces." In doing so, he eulogised the ■ action of the men who were leaving, and pointed out that there was still an urgent need, of men. It would not be long before conscription was enforced in the Mother Country and possibly in New Zealand. He was sorry to say that the invalided men were not receiving the care and attention they should. Men were invalided home, discharged, and left to fate. There was a most distressing case in Stratford and others throughout New Zealand. He spoke strongly on the matter, but said lie really felt stronger than he spoke. Unless something was done in the matter recruiting would 'fall off. More men would go if they know that in case of disablement they would on their return he cared lor. The pension provided by the Government would not be sufficient, and therefore the various Patriotic Committees were working to fill the deficiency. Already Technical Schools were being asked to return a classification of work and technical sciences which would suit partially-disabled men and disabled men. This was a splendid scheme, and it was hoped that it would be successfully organised. In referring to the progress of the war, the speaker stressed the fact that Britain was only organising her forces, and that her full part in the war was yet to come. Russia had bad a had set-back, but when she was properly organised and fed with ammunition .she would How into the enemy's territory in vast numbers. But in the meantime the Kxpeditionary Forces were doing their lot in France, in the Dardanelles, and elsewhere, and their motto, he was sure, was that of

tli'' lu'tnntis "Maons ol ' Ora kau "AUc! oke! kia Kaha!" (,"\Ve will light for ever aud ever." >

Sergeant Davis then raised a hearty laugh with his rendering of "Potted Poetry,"' and item which was deservedly encored.

Reply to the toast of the Expedi- j tionary Forces. Sergeant M alone said that, though not an actual member of the Force he was a prospective one and spoke as such and as a member of the Advance Party in Samoa. 'Many people, especially members of the. Main Body, were very prone to facitiously and'superciliously dub the expedition to Samoa "Bill Massey's Picnic." If some of them had been bundled into transports and sent to sea within fourteen days of mobilisation; crossed the South Pacific with 'three tiny cruisers as escort, running the risk of meeting the Gneismtu, Scharuhorst or oilier German vessels; ships that were the lot of « hastilydespatched force, they would not be. so prone to speak rashly. Still, Samoa was only one scene where (British Expeditionary Forces were loperating. The Australians had captured German New Guinea after a sweltered in the heat working long

hours in heavy clothing; and, generally, had to put up with the hardsmart light. General Louis Botha had captured the entire forces and territory of German South-West Alrica with troops who fifteen yeare ago were our enemies. This was the greatest manifestation of the successful and warm-hearted colonisation work of the British Envvre ever displayed in history. A British forro operating in German East Africa v.;.s 'laving ups and downs, but rw doubt would eventually win. And so, i:i the four corners of the Earth. British forces were gradually wrestling he colonial possessions away from .'"-

Germans. To those leaving sum' he would convey a message he had conveyed to those who went to Samoa from Colonel Malone. "llemomb-r your Regiment, which has already seen service in New Zealand. fe«i your God, honor your King, and also do your best."

Sergeant H. Voyle also replied, remarking that he was of the same >pinion as the previous speaker— Samoa was no picnic. A little more discretion on the part of some of the officers would have improved matters. He regretted that he could not get away again, but lie was glad to have been able to do his bit and return to let his brother do his share. The next toast that of the "Defence Forces," proposed by the Mayor, who referred feelingly to the action of the men, in giving up comforts and home to take part in the war. Britain had been caught sleeping, and was only now waking up and organising her forces so as to bring the war to the end desired. Russia was severely handicapped by lack of munitions, and was in a very bad way. She had not even yet built the factories for making the ammunition. That being so, the war was a long way from finishing, and the enemy would, no doubt, with their twenty to forty years preparation behind them,, be very formidable and would give the Allies some set backs until the Allies were thoroughly organised. He felt sure that the worst had not yet come, and he was afraid a severe * blow was coming. The final issue was not in doubt, but time was on our side, and when everything was organised, and munitions plentiful, the enemy's strength would soon be sapped. There were many m New Zealand who could not go away as they were tied in various ways, but the' cream of the country was going, and that was to be our loss. Money was nothing—it could be replaced—but those who fall o r are disabled cannot be replaced. He was in Wellington lately, and there saw the troops in camp. They were the finest body of men he had seen. He wished all who were leaving God-speed and a safe return.

Before sitting down the Mayor made special reference to the *ne work done by Lieutenant Gray in the Defence Department in Stratford. He was a most popular, hard-work-ing officer and had given a great deal of his time to the Cadets, the Home, Defence Corps and the Territorial*. The company then sang of the King" in fin© Sergeant Malone singing th.i> 'solo. iLieutenan* foray j u replying said that he felt very much the way in "which the toast had been responded to, He was of opinion that more interest in tfhe Cadets and Territorials 'generally. When the Delence Scheme was in its infancy the facetious man in the street used to be very fond of throwing off at the "kids" (as they called the Territorials. "What I was the good of sending kids to, the 'front?" he was asked. "Have they shown themselves kids now?" No; they have shown themselves to be soldiers of the right stuff. Continuing, Lieutenant Gray said the Cadets especially were the soldiers in being. If they were got together and treated in the Tight way by the public and given encouragement, he did not doubt that they will be first-class soldiers in time. What was wanted of the public was more recognition and assistance in obtaining and maintaining a club room, where the Cadets and Territorials could meet for the purpose of having lectures on military matters from time to time. The room could be used as a library and supplied with newspapers and so assist in bettering the young men of the town. Perhaps provision could bo made in the new municipal buildings I'oV the Force to rent or to be lent a room one night. a week. If this was done, Stratford would have reason to be proud of its Cadets and Territorials as the men would workwell and take more interest in their work. He hoped that the Mayor would try and do something to help. The forces had supplied a big percentage of men in Stratford and this Fact was not recognised as it should he, because it showed that the De fence Scheme was worth while, and had proved itself. Lieutenant Gray was heartily cheered on resuming his seat.

Lieutenant Buchler proposed the toast of "the Allies." Tn doing so, he asked the gathering to do full justice to the toast. The Japs'had helped us in the- r knst and had proved themselves worthy Allies. The Russians were .hard up against it, but Would win through. The French and Belgians had braved the fullness of the Mast, and, though sorely tried, were now holding their own. Tn theunavoidable absence of Mr W. Lander, the Mayor responded to the toast, expressing the satisfaction that the Allies would win.

After singing the "Red, White and Bluo" and the National Anthem, the gathering dispersed.