DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 October 1915, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS.

TIKORANGI. (From Our Own Correspondent). There was a very large attendance at the Tikorangi Hall on Wedneslay evening, the occasion being a presentation and social tendered to/ Messrs L. Lye, C. Wood and Eric Alexander,, whose services have been accepted for the Ninth and Tenth Reinforcements. A fine musical programme was submitted by a party from New Plymouth, consisting of Misses Mclsaacs and Smith and Messrs Asher, Downes and Farmer, and also by Waitara friends, including the Mayor (Mr. Beckbessinger), Mesdames ' Roberts, Allen, and Misses Whyte and Day. During the evening, Mr, J. Hine, junr., presented, on behalf of many friends, a case of pipes to Mr. Wood and sets of military brushes to Messrs Lye and Alexander. In the course of his remarks, Mr. Hine said they all recognised the spirit of devotion to duty shown by these young men, but only a father or mother could realise the great sacrifice made by their parents. Addressing the recruits, Mr, Hine said: "Boys, you are about to take part in the greatest struggle for liberty and freedom which -the civilsed world has ever known. You are toing to a land rich'in historical associations and ancient lore. You will probably be fighting on the battle fields of the ancients, but the heroic valor of the field of Marathon, the Spartan courage in the pass of Thermoplyae, have been equally, if not surpassed, by the impetuous valor and dauntless courage of 'lie comrades you are about to join on the Gallipoli Peninsula. You are about to become a part of the British Army, whose glorious traditions stretch back into the ages—an army that has produced such men as Sir Philip Sydney, Henry Havelock and Lord Roberts, soldier, saint and prophet. With such examples you will do your part whatever it may be. Whether it be the physical danger of the firing line or the more insidious danger of social temptations, we know that you will so conduct yourselves as to be an honor to your parents. You go with our best wishes, and we pray that God in His own good time wlli bring you safely home again,"

Mr. L. Faull returned thanks on behalf of the boys who wove leaving. Mr. Hine thanked all who had assisted so kindly and announced that the singing of the National Anthem would close the proceedings, but he still had a few words to say. Addressing the able-bodiedi men who were present; he said that the struggle had assumed a more portentous aspect, and it was clear that the task confronting the Empire was a stupendous one. Our salvation depended entirely upon ourselves. It was useless to expect help from the dollar-grabbing t Yankee or the Levantine Greek. The question was, What'are you doing? The boys had responded and would continue to do so. In the course of a week or ten days every able-bodied man of military age would have this question put to him, Are you prepared to serve your country? The question was going to be put by the only ones who had a right to ask it, viz., the military authorities, and he (the speaker) ventured to say that not a boy in Tikorangi, in Waitara, or any other district would fail to answer "Yes." But what are you married able-bodied men doing? Is it fair to rely on the boys Will you give up your pleasures, your cricket, billiards and bowls? Are you so busy that you cannot spare a few hours weekly to endeavor to fit yourself for the call if it comes? The Germans do not rely only on their boys, and if you are 50 fortunate that your services are not required the little bit of drill will have done you no harm. Do not delude yourselves with the belief that a few pounds given to the patriotic funds, coupled with an exhortation to the boys to fight your battle and mine is all that is required. That is cheap patriotism. Do something. Make some real sacrifice, and by so doing you will encourage the boys in a far greater way than all the oratory in the world.