STRATFORD TROOPERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 November 1915, Page 3

STRATFORD TROOPERS.

A WELCOME HOME. AXD AX "AU REVOIU." (From Our Own Correspondent.) Stratford, Yesterday. The welcome to the returned troopers, and sond-off to tlie men leaving with the next draft of reinforcements took place in the Town Hall last evening, before a very large audience. His Worship the Mayor occupied the chair, and extended a very hearty welcome to the hoys who had been fighting. He regretted that tiie town had not been able to give a welcome home to the men before for the reason that they came back iii such a way that it was impossible to arrange for a proper welcome. Thirteen men from the district had come back invalided; seventeen had given their lives for their country; and lie was sure the people were proud of their men. Men, were, however, wanted to fill the gaps, and he appealed to every single man to lill these gaps. Thirtysix men were leaving on Monday night, and more would be required, and he felt sure the young men of the district would readily respond Jo their country's call, The following contributed to the programme:—Misses! Mackev, Sangster, Messrs F. J. Hale, R. Malonc, W T. Wilson, Ranford, and Rowc. Orchestral items were rendered by the Egmont Club orchestra under the baton of Mr. K. Cot* tier.

Mr. J. B. Hint', M.P., said it was a privilege to be present to welcome the men who had done so much, and when lie knew that some of those men were returning to the front, he thought it was a disgrace that the Government should allow them to go hack to the firing line, while there were thousands of others who had not done their bit. I'o th.ise who were going away, with the next draft of reinforcements, he wished Clod speed. They had a standard to live, up to, and they -should remember that many heroes have gone before. The public should realise the duty they owed to the Empire, and give to her our very best, loyally and well. The parents of the boys who had returned or were at the front, he felt sure, were proud that they had not disgraced them, but had brought honor to their country and King. He wanted to say a word to street eorner gossipcrs, who declaimed the conduct of the war. If we backed the Empire as we have been doing for the next twelve months, the conditions would be different. He again wished the departing boys Clod speed, and hoped they would come back with wider visions, and wider scope of ideas of the Empire wc live in.