“Welcome Home."

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIII, Issue 62, 12 November 1915, Page 2

“Welcome Home."

THE emu RECEPTION. RETURNED SOLDIERS AND RECRUITS FRATERNISE. SUNGS, SPEECHES, AND SUPPER i —- f i lie Town Hall was well iiliecl lust evening, alien the reception to the returned sick and wounded soldiers and I the I’arowell to the Stratford quota ol 110tli Keinlorcements was tendered by the .Borough Council and its cm[ployocs. An excellent musical and vocal programme was arranged, and the whole evening went with a swing. 1 The principal speaker was Air D. McLaren, of Wellington, who delivered a stirring speech calling lor recruits, and it would have been hard to lind a young man in the audience lust evening who was not touched hy the call for men, The Council at a meeting a 'dew weeks ago decided to give a reception and farewell function in honor ol our boys who have been and who are going to "the front. As the Mayor explained, it was no easy matter to arrange a reception dor each, dralt of returned soldiers, as the local men did not lavor it, and in consequence alighted Horn the train at different stations befoic Stratford was reached. The chairman (Mr J. AV. Boonj.aud Mr J. 13. HinoTM.P., also delivered stirring speeches. Last night’s function was a credit to the Council, employees and all the willing workers who helped to make it such a line success. Under the circumstances it only fair to mention the work of the ladies in the arrangements, many having Keen working tor weeks past in gathering toothsome edibles for the supper. The excellent display when the guests sat down to the tables on the stage was most appetising, and quite up to the best style of professional catering at similar functions. During the evening songs were contributed by the following local artists: Misses Mackay and Sangster, Messrs 13, Malone, F. J. Hale, AY. A AVilson, and J. Howe. Mr F. Hanford contributed four humorous recitations. One, entitled “The Kaiser’s Iron Crosses, was given by kind permission of M T. A. Lonergan. The items were well received, and in most eases encores were called for. The Kgmont Club orchestra played a couple of excellent-ly-rendered selections. The chairman (Mr J. AV. Boon) m his opening remarks said his speec was brief, as the member ior the district (Mr J. 13. Hine) ami Mr McLaren were present. Ho said it was his .privilege as Mayor of the town to extend a “welcome home” to the my who had been away lighting the battles of the people of the Kmpne. was rather a difficult matter to arrange a welcome home to the boys as they arrived. Men had returned by three boats. The hrst boat that arrived back brought two men home iro Egypt but he was not aware officially of the fact. Those two were Privates D. Cameron and King, and ho was sorry to say that one of them—i nvato Cameron —had passed a" • Every other man who enlisted m Stratford, and had returned, received an invitation to be present, at trie function. Private Cameron was Kvch by all well liked amongst Ins workmates, and a well-known athlete. The speaker referred to the return ol the 'different batches of wounded and invalided soldiers. On each occasion o the troops returning, a large cl °" congregated on the platform, an P iU rninent amongst these were the members of the Patriotic Committee, who were willing to give their services m any capacity required. The men who returned did not want a reception, but he wished to pay the town s respect for what they had done loi t us country. He also wished to pay resipect to the boys’ parents lie Country owed a great deal to the mothers, for' letting their boys go, and also for the hue quality ol those boys.— (Applause). ' AVhcu the last Hospital Ship arrived, he 'received a wire to the effect that there was a hospital case for Stratford, but when the train pulled alongside the platform there was no one for the hospital. One man arrived by the train, but he dodged behind the water tank, and that was the last seen of him. (Applause). Thirteen men who enlisted at Stratford have been invalided home either sick or wounded. Many of those who had returned had fought side by side with the Stratford men who had given up their lives for them Country. AVheu one thought of that, he had to feel very proud of the boys and New Zealand as a whole. Ho wished the men who had returned invalided home a hearty and cordial welcome back to Stratford._(Applause). He knew they were willing to go back and do their share again if they wore needed. He was grateful, indeed, that the places in the tiring lino made vacant by the invaliding home of our soldiers were being tilled by other boys from our midst. The speaker said he would like to see all eligible and single men put their names down on record, so that they could be called on at any moment. Mr Boon said that there was thirty-six men in the Hall who had heard the Country’s call, and were leaving Stratford on Monday next <o go into camp. The men who went away with the first forces sacrificed everything,

and gave up all tlieii* ambitions in life to fight for their Country. The Country was proud of the men going away, because they knew they weie going to make sacrifices, and in many cases, lay down their lives for the people of the British Empire. He then wished the boys God .speed and a safe return, in conclusion, the speaker called for three cheers for the men who had arrived back from the front, and for those who were g°* ing away.—(Prolonged cheers). THE MEMBER FOR STRATFORD. Mr J. B. Hiue (member for the district), said it was both a pleasure and an honor to welcome the boys home from the front. If one stopped to consider what the men had been through, it would make their hearts swell with pride to lie present at the function, to extend to them a heaitj welcome back to their native countij. It was disgraceful of the Government to allow the men who had been invalided home to be allowed to go hack again when there were thousands in the Dominion who were eligible, and had their bit to do. The fairest method was conscription, and then the men who had not volunteered, and should, would. Rave to go. The public should realise the duty they owe to the Empire; they should give thenvery best, and give well. It was no mean thing to be a member of the British Empire. The people had a certain standard to live up to, and they should remember that many men had gone before. During the last dO years, men had been satisiied " ith taking all they could from the Empire, but now it was the time to give, not to take. He said he was ve, y proud to wish farewell to the boys who were going away, and hoped the time would soon com e when hostilities would be concluded and peace proclaimed, but that time was not in sight. He said h e would like to say a word about- the street corner pessimists who were always grumbling. General Botha was not always criticising Lord Kitchener and Sir Edward Grey; he did not heed them. It made his heart sick everytime lie came into Stratford to hear the “street corner general” running down the British Government, Lord Kitchener, ant the leading public men. These men knew all about the mistakes, and what Lord Kitchener should have done. They could do better service in the field—(applause.) He would 'jack Lord Kitchener and Sir Edward Grey every time—(applause). “Mistakes have occurred, are occurring, and will occur again, but that is an every daj occurrence” said the speaker. Whatever England had not done on hind, she had made up for on the sea, for she was Mistress of the Waves. In conclusion, Mr Hiue wished the boy a who are departing with the next batch of Reinforcements God speed, a good trip, and hoped they would see seivice, and come back well with a great knowledge of the world and hotter able to study the Empire’s needs. —(Cheers).

THE SPEECH OF THE EVENING. The chairman briefly introduced Mr McLaren, the principal speaker oi the evening. Mr McLaren, said he was not addressing the meeting as a stranger, for at the present time the people of different districts were ou o peopleall united ready to do the work of the Empire. He would address the meeting as a fellow citizen. In welcoming home the boys, Mr McLaren said he was not a man of many words, but what he would like to say was: “Shake boys, shake, it is good to see you back.” —(Applause), ’ihe "oik at the front required strong men to carry it through, and strong men were going away to carry this through. He wished the boys God speed, and hoped that they would return when the undertaking was brought to a successful conclusion. What was the meaning of the war? he asked. Was it worth while winning out to victory? ' What did we propose to give to win P The last was a vital point for all. An American General was ' ouco asked what war was, and he replied: “War is hell,” and it is so, remarked Mr McLaren—(Applause.) Some great soldiers, leaders of armies into great victories and other leaders, hated war, and wished it was swept off the face of the world. Ho supported the war, not because it was war, or because he had no fear and no desire for the people to go on such a mission but because of Prussian militarism and the suppressing of the super fiends of today. Even after twelve months of war, nobody realised what war meant. When he was a boy, one of his greatest pleasures was to read about the |battle of Waterloo, in which live nations participated. Waterloo, in his imagination, was the most stupendous | and wonderful in history, but all the i British troops under the Duke of Wellington were considerably less in uumjber than those sent by New Zealand I to Gallipoli; though, seven nations [were involved, the total number of ! troops engaged amounted to 2*#,000. France had suffered in killed and iWounded considerably more than four times that number. “All honor to 'the French as our Allies,” stated Mr jMcLaren. The speaker said that there seemed to be only one set of peo ■ pie who knew anything ahoyt the war in the Old Country, they were the members of the Northoliffe press. Their impudence has passed all bounds. It would be a very good tbing if they were all given a holiday ,

—in the trenches— (Applause.) The present war was like no other war in history. It was a struggle between hiations. The civilised world was, at present, at death grips with criminals, 1 not against criminals of the slum or degenerate class, hut with the crimm- j ality of the Kaiser of Germany --the ■ country where criminality dominated, the heads. The present was a new phase of war. The Allies wore not only lighting the armies ol Germany, but the people as a whole as well. After the battle ol the '.ions, the niilitary machine was no good, but the munitions came forward as usual, showing that ad the people of Gei-| many were up in arms. He could not j see how the war could come to a j successful conclusion unless ail the nations pulled together. Britain raised crimes and deeds of the blackest kind against Germany. In the neutral criticism, nothing had been raised to reflect on the honor of any of the Allies or Britain herselfplause.) The Britisher wa s proud of the glory he had won in lighting, and he had only fought as a Britisher ought to light. Not only had Britain raised charges against Germany, but America had done so also, ihc speaker referred to the brutality of the Germans, and said that he had read some of the evidence of Hie Commission set up to inquire into the atrocities. The Huns were credited with such hellish deeds of savagery that bo would not repeat them even if he was in the company of men only. One of tlie greatest crimes that the Germans were guilty of was the murder of Nurse Cavell. Mr McLaren said the women should carry the facts of the case away with them, and the men should do the same, and discuss it amongst their Menus. Miss Cavell was a nurse, who had a duty to perform, and that was to care lor the sick and wounded, and she not only attended to the soldiers ol the Allies, but of Germany as well. He wondered why, under such circumstances, tile Germans could have deceudcd to alien a stute of savagery. 1 here was a woman who had nursed the sick and wounded, charged with breaking the rules of warfare. ■ The Hun 8 took her out, blindfolded her, put her against a wall, and shot her dead. That was not the full extent?#* 1 ® crime; not content to murder Woman in cold blood (a woman who had nursed their sick and wounded), they put up the plea that “she did it from mercenary mercenary methods.” The blackest criminal of the street would not stoop to that. “Men,” he continued, “if you love your sisters, motheis, wives, sweethearts, think of it, men, and there will be no need for mo to appeal to you for your services.”—(Applause.) The Germans thought that a small nation should not live, and should at no time be considered, it had been found that the German struggled for might for everything and right lor nothing. In Berlin recently, a prominent man said, “Germany does not want to dominate the whole world, she only asks that Belgium shall be converted into a base for her, that Trance shall go practically out of existence, that they take Britain’s oversea trade, and that she shall rule Egypt and South Africa.” It was not much when one said it quick, inferred the speaker. Britain had given South Africa scilgoverument after the Boer war,, which way a. remarkable piece of statesmanship. People of other nations had always found the gates ol Britain thrown open to the walls, and John Bull standing there ,not to close the gates, hut to welcome in the stranger. Mr McLaren told of the beginning of the war, when Germany refused to abide by “A Scrap of Paper,” and had expected England to do the same, Alas! Germany’s refusal to accept “The Scrap of Paper” was the opening of the llood-tide gates of the great war to-day. During his recent tours through New Zealand he had come in contact with not a few who were content to sit hack in an easy chair and say: “Britain will win cut all right.” When he made the same statement in Palmerston North a few u'glits ago, a man interjected “Easy!” But could not be done easily if the men were not there to do it, and the public would have to keep in mind that it would not be done if the motto: “Business as usual” was adhered to. There were three things the people had to keep in their minds and had

to get; “Men, money, munitions. 7 ’ They were not merely needed lui today and to-morrow, but to-morrow, to-morrow, and to-morrow. The people said that men of military age should give their all—their life in many cases—but men of non-military ago should not ask unless they were willing to do the same. Ho favoured universal service for all people. Before the war, and up to the present, patriotism was proclaimed in the music hall; soldiers had been cheered while marching along the streets; and everybody was crying of patriotism, but now and hero was the time to prove it- What were the people prepared to give ? The speaker instanced a case in which a man was asked to accept a seat on the Patriotic Committee, but he declined, stating that ho did not consider it fair that he should dictate to another man what he should do with hi s money or private property. He did not consider it right to go and ask a man for money for the patriotic funds. Undoubtedly, that man’s moral, not mental outlook, was twisted. No man ever acquired wealth on his own accord—it was only by the instrument of society. In the Wairarapa, after he had spoken on behalf of the same mission, a man named McDonald said that after he had given £SOO to the war funds he slept better that night. Pointing the moral, Mr McLaren said: “Those amongst you, who are not sleeping too well and have the means, can take the tee will be pleased to receive your hint. 1 know the Patriotic Commitcontribution. By giving to the fund, you would be assured of relief.— (Laughter). Men were continually arriving home wounded—some maimed—and had dependents to look after, and the speaker said it was they who needed all the assistance that could be given. If the ordinary civilian sacrificed himself of Id or £IOOO in hard cash, it was not equal to what the men at the front were giving—they were giving everything. The number of men of military age who had enlisted up to the present was wonderful, and showed that the spirit of patriotism was not dead amongst the men. Those who were not ready to give, and had the means, if it hurt them to give, they should remember that it did not hurt as much as some of the boys in the trenches were. On his travels through New Zealand, ho had found many shirkers; he was ashamed to say it, but it was the. truth. The Mayor of Hamilton had told him of an instance where a man in a big way, owner of many broad acres, and the possessor of a bank

balance, bad lour sous, and two wore anxious to get away, nut tiio P oor 1 miserable sinner of a iatber, wnose J God was geld, said that if any one ol bis boys went lie would cut id* ll °h without a shilling.—A voice: “Shame.”) The Mayor ol tbo towu ( bad told tbe tanner that lie was worse than a shirker, and should net have a country to • live in.—(Applause.) When he beard of men of tuat des- 1 cription, be liked to call on them, and. chance whether he got a thrashing or j not. The women of Now Zealand Had done their share, they had acted nobly in giving their boys. He met a woman in the train who said she had| live sons, four were at tbe front, aadj the youngest was straining on tbe j leash to go also. “With the help of j God,” said the mother, ‘‘he will go| also.” Could anybody diagnose that woman's feeling—and it was the feel-, iug of many more women in .New Zealand as well—in bidding good-bye to . each, perhaps thinking that she | would never look upon his face again. . In that way, the women were as auxious to serve as the men. The Coun-| try could do a great deal by providing I money, and more by providing men. i ‘‘Listen to the cry from Gallipoli, ! away on the scathed hill-sides, your ! comrades, brothers, and men, are call-1 iug ; we are hanging on to crags and J will not give way; we want your help. We want more -Reinforcements. Come over. Como, serve your Empire, for it is for the great and noble cause, and it is for a British cause.”—(Loud cheers.) At the conclusion of Mr McLaren’s speech, three cheers were given for the boys who had returned, and three for those going away. i lie programme was concluded with the singing of the .National Antliem and Rule Britannia.

Tiie Hail was gaily decorated with Hags and bunting, and a notice bearing the inscription “Welcome Home” was iiuug over the proscenium. Altogthor the Hall presented a very attractive scene. THE BANQUET. At the conclusion of the concert programme the returned soldiers and the members of the 10th Reinforcements, with their relatives, to the number of about 160, were entertained at a banquet. Mr J. W. Boou presided. Apologies were received from Messrs vV. Lander (secretary S.H.D.C.), Stratford; Mr and Mrs Marfell, Rev. Howard, Mr W. Hathaway (chairman Stratford County Council), F. Arden (ex-Councillor), ii. B. Worthington (member of Stratford County Council), G. N. Curtis (Belgian Relief Committee), N. B. Fryday, iA. E. Copping (Editor “Stratford Evening Post”), and H. Wilson. The chairman (Mr J. W, Boon) proposed the toast of His Majesty the

| King. Mr J. B. Mine, M.P., proposed the health of “Our Boys,” and. said it was strange that after delivering a farewell speech he should bo asked to I welcome home the boys who had fought for their country at Gallipoli. ■ Mr Mine said though ho called the soldiers boys, there were some very old boys amongst them. As long as the world goes round England will hold the same proud position as she holds to-day. it was said that every soldier left a sweetheart, and he hoped that was true. It tvas us hard on the sweethearts to let the boys go as it was for the mothers when the boys were away. He could see no harm in the girl's writing to a boy and letting him know the news from New Zealand. Even if a girl did not know a boy who lias gone away she could find out the name of one and write to him, and he assured the girls present that such letters would he treasured. ‘‘There was always to be remembered that it may turn to something better when the boys return,” said the speaker. Masiy of the boys had no friends, and a letter would be a friend. The girls should write and tell the boys that there wore only old men and shirkers in New Zealand and he was sure it would have the desired effect. Mr lline said Mr McLaren had spoken very truly when he said what was needed was men, money and munitions, but he was sure the men were most needful. The speaker had the pleasure and the honor to sit with Mr McLaren for three years, and though that gentlemen had not approved of the compulsory system, when the test came he was thankful that it had come about. In conclusion, the speaker wished those who were going away every success, and those who had returned a welcome back to New Zealand, and those who were kept in military service in the Dominion sucjeess. Lieutenant Gray, in responding, said it was one of the greatest honors of his life to respond on behalf of the boys. Soldiers were heroes in every sense of the word, and those who were going away to tight were heroes. They know what they have to face. The country upholds them as true Britisherrs and heroes,_ and will still produce such heroes of the same blood. Conscription was needed for the integrity of the Nation, and without numbers the war could not bo brought to a successful conclusion. Lieutenant Gray said ho was pleased to honor the toast of “Our Boys,” and to those going away he wished them God speed and hoped they would return safe and sound. Private O. Kelly said he waa sorry he had to reply to the toast, as public speaking wms out of his lino. On behalf of the returned troopers he thanked the chairman for the pleasant evening that had been spent by all. Private Kelly said the previous epcak-

er was correct when be said more men were wanted, auu tiiev were wanted as soon us pusoiuic. x. iiinc the call was lor more men, and limy cuuki not get to tbe ironi too quickly, (Apt„ause). In proposing tbe toast of the “Allies,” iur JicL.-.ren said ne appreciated tiie fact tnat no iiad occupied the seat of honor -at the luuctiou. The lommy was nut tlie only soluier that went into battle singing a song. The Russian Cossack was known commonly as tbe singing soldier. The Cossack went straight Ironi tbe soil of the country in the struggle, but nevertheless, he wont in singing. People thought that the Russians were not out or the state of barbarism, llussiau civilisation went further than most people imagined. Due can easily recognise tins aiter nearing the Russian ..National Anthem, which shows that too country must be in a high state ol civilisation. He was proud to toast such a nation. Prance progressed with humanity. Many thought that France was decadent when war was declared, out they drew themselves together. France was proud of her soul once more, and was cheerfully carrying the burden. Belgium had acted honorably in checking the progress of the Germans. After describing Germany’s 15U years of preparing for the war, he said he was proud to drink to the health of “The Allies.”

In responding, Dr. Paget said everybody would agree that there was a great deal to thank the Allies for. He did not wish to decry the British, and lie did not want to minimise what they had done; but ho would like to tear a leaf out of the book ol what the other Allies were doing. Hie Allies did not encourage unnecessary expense and unnecessary expense in war time was drink. He did not consider drink was necessary in war time, and although he was not a prohibitionist, he was adverse to it in war time. (Applause). The law ol Franco had remodelled the necessaries of life. He felt ashamed at the Government of New Zealand in allowing racing to be continued, there w r as no need for it at a time like the present. Sport was noble in time of peace, but in a time like the present it should be stopped. Sport in time of peace was responsible for good fellowship,and was the originator of the sporting spirit and LheNew Zealand boys had gone into the tight at Gallipoli with that sporting spirit. Racing also tended to improve the breed of horses. The talk in the Press was not of success, but if one looked up the greatest failure in this war it was the failure when the Germans failed to reach Paris in the first spring. A certain section of the Press was decrying everything done, an dthey should be made to publish, constructive, nob destructive matter. Or. Thompson proposed the toast of “The Ladies,” who he said were doing a great part in the war and had been making great sacrifices. Mr J. Row© responded on behalf of the ladies. Mr McLaren proposed the health of the chairman (Mr J. W. Boon). Mr Boon suitably responded. After the toasts of the evening had been honored the gathering sang the National Anthem, Rule Britannia, and Auld Lang Syne before it dispersed.