ELEVENTH REINFORCEMENTS.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 348, 14 December 1915, Page 5

ELEVENTH REINFORCEMENTS.

TAIHAPE QUOTA FARE WELLED. Last evening, under the auspices of the local Patriotic Society, a social was held in the Town Hall to farewell the Taihape quota of the ,11th Reinforcements, who left by train this morning. There was a fair attendance and a pleasant evening was spent in dancing. The Mayor (Mr. A. L. Arrowsmith), m bidding the mep “God-speed,” re . ferred to the fact that the men were putting duty before personal conveni- , and he trusted, and all trusted, that they owuld return safe and sound. We would still have to keep sending more men until we are victor! ous. “Germany,” said Mr. Arrowsmith, “is putting every available man in the held, and so must we. Wo must bo victorious. ” Finding that it aws impossible to attack England except by means of aircraft. Germany was now seeking to attack her through India and Egypt. “We can only beat her by sending plenty of men,” concluded Mr. Arrowsmith. These are some of the men who are going to help.” (Aplause).

The Rev. R. H. C.athorwood also addressed those present, and said that he considered it a great privilege to speak to the men. “This is a great thing these men are going into,” lie said; “the greatest the world has ever known.” What could be finer than to fight, and, if need be, die, that the people might be free and selfgot erned, He personally regretted that, owing to an accident en his t outli, he could not be acceted rot* service. Anything we could do was small compared with what these men were doing. There was nothing more God-like than for a man to give tirs life that peace may result and the nation be free. The menace now before the world was too awful to think of. Continuing, the reverend gentleman referred to the report on the Belgian atrocities by the Commission, and stated that Mr. Bryce was one of the sanest of men. In the name of the Church he wished the men God-speo. “Fight,” he said, “as men, and you hit fight none the owrse because the God of Mercy is on your side.” (Applause) . Mr. R. W. Smith, M.P., supoprted the remarks of the previous speakers. Ho felt, with Mr. Arrowsmith. that these send-offs were coming very frequently, but it was good to know that the men of the district recognised their duty and would do it freely. These men were men. every inch of them. They were putting aside personal matters at the call of duty. He was glad of the opportunity to tell these men how proud we were of them, not only because of the practical assistance they would be to the Empire, but because of the moral assistance they would bo. He hoped they would not long bo away. They were leaving behind them a lot of warm hearts, who would be only too ready to do anything and everything possible for them. (Applause).