OFF TO THE WAR.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 November 1915, Page 3

OFF TO THE WAR.

TROOPS LEAVE NEW _ PLYMOUTH. TARE WELLED BY LARGE CROWDS.. ADDRESSES TO THE MEN, Forty-six men loft New Plymouth by special train last night for Trentham, whore they will join the Tenth Reinforcements. Further drafts joined the train at other stations, until when the last town in Taranaki was left there wen/ well over two hundred soldiers on the train. The weather was fine and enabled the citizens to give the men a splendid farewell. The men were not marched to the railway station as has been the custom, as in several instances they have got wet through in doing so, and the improved method of conveying them in one of the Taranaki Transport Company's motor waggons was adopted, to the complete satisfaction of the troops. The Citizens' Band, Territorials, and members of the Defence/Rifle Club, however, mustered at the Coronation Hall in strong force, and marched to the station, outside which a dense crowd was assembled to cheer the men on their way. The Mayor (Mr. C. Burgess), Mr. H. Okey, M.P., Chaplain-Major Archdeacon Evans, Chaplain-Captain A. B. Chappell, Borough Councillors, and other prominent citizens were present. The troops were lined up inside the railway yard and the. crowd filled the roadway opposite. Short addresses were given by Chaplain-Major Evans and the Mayor and cheers were then given for the men, after which the band played the National Anthem, which was heartily sung by the crowd. The men then marched on to the .station and entrained. The public were then admitted to the station to say goodbye. The band played several appropriate airs and to the accompaniment of (more cheers the train left shortly after seven o'clock.

Addressing the adhering, ChaplainMajor Evans said he was very grateful to the Mayor for giving him the opportunity for speaking to their brothers before they left for camp. He felt that he might truly say, on behalf of everyone present, that they were proud of those boys who were going away. "We are proud of the first men who went away, and our hearts are filled with pride of them,'' he continued, "but I think, if it is possible, we are more proud of these men who are now going away, because they go away knowing what they are going to. The first men who went recognised the serious thing they were to face, but I don't think they realised how very serious it was. First of all, I want to say that these men claim our thanks for going to stand for New Zealand; They are going to fight, first of all for the grand Old Country and for their New Zealand, for the more you see of New Zealand—especially after you have travelled—the more you realise what a grand little country it is. And I don't think that any country has done better for the Empire in this time of stress than New Zealand. It seems difficult to believe that a little country like New Zealand has sent away more than 2.5,000 men fully armed and equipped—it seems a most wonderful thing for New Zealand to have done. Further, I wish to impress upon you men that not only are you going to fight for the Empire, but you are going to fight for this country, for you realise what would happen if the Germans won the war and took possession of New Zealand. lam confident there is no man here who would not spend his last bullet and then die, rather than that the Germans should occupy this country. You men are going to stand up for the Old Country and help to fight her battles, and you .must remember than you have before you something very high to live up to. The British Navy and the British Army have fine traditions and you are going to help to maintain those, while, not only are you faced with the splendid traditions of Britain, but you have the traditions established by those New Zcalanders who have gone before you. I don't think there has been anything finer in this war than the landing on the shores of Gallipoli and the sub"quent fighting. You men are going ;r v to live up to those high tradition- mid do your duty for the sake of righteousness, justice, womanhood, home, and religion. And, men, 1 feel sure that yon will do it. All you have to do is your level best; and if you do that you do your duty. Lord Kitchener is doing his duty and you men in your position are just as necessary as Lord Kitchener is, in his position. Go forth, men, in the name of God, and I hope you will be spared to come back. If we have given you a good send-off it will be nothing to the reception we will give you when you come back."

HOW OTHERS CAN HELP. In conclusion, Chaplain-Major Evans addressed a few remarks to those who were remaining at home. He told them they should be prepared to do a great deal for the men who were going to light our battles. Everyone could not go to t'lie war, but the men who were going were going to tight for all, and there was nothing which we could do for them that was too great. One thing everyone could do, and that was to pray for the men who had gone. There was a call for everyone's most generous support to help the womded soldiers, and lie felt certain all would respond to this call'. 'Die help must be given because the men who came home wounded must be supported. The Mayor then addressed the gathering. He said everyone was proud of those who were leaving their homes, their prospects, and all that was dear to them, to do their duty to their country. '•We are very insistent, and rightly so, that all who are eligible should offer their services, and so far as Taranaki is concerned, in this respect, we are doing very well," he added. "The men are doing their sliare. The question is, however, are we who stay behind doing all we can or should? It is not possible for all to give largely, but it is the small things that count, if there he enough of them. Take the borough of New Plymouth, for example. There are aboiit 8000 people in it, and I think I am safe in allowing that 4000 of these could afford one shilling each per week, which would mean £2OO a week, or £IO,OOO a year, and no one would miss it. It is astonishing how a small fund grows." Mr. Burgess went on to say that apart from the money side, there was a wide .field for workers and no girl, woman, or man need be idle. If tkoy all worked every day and all day tliey could not do all that was needed. The men who were going to the war were making the greatest sacrifice a man eould make, and those staying at home could not do too much for them. The Mayor concluded by appealing to all to help, especially in the direction of sendiim eojnfgrta anj luxuries to the men,