FOR THE FRONT.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 February 1916, Page 8

FOR THE FRONT.

DEPARTURE OF THE THIRTEENTHS The men comprising Taranaki's quota of 4/ie Thirteenth Reinforcements left [ for camp by the mail train yesterday. The men left the- tr.tin at Palmersto'ii North to undergo a dental examination prior to being detailed to Trentham and Featherston. Addressing the men who left Xew Plymouth, the Mayor (Mr. C. H: Burgess) said 12 000 men were now in camp and we were pledged to send 2350 men per month. It was said that the war would be over in two months, but it had been going on for eighteen months now, and there appeared to be very little chance of an early termination. At the outset men held 'back thinking that the war would soon be over, and that their services would n ot be required, and there were men holding hack today, and to them he would say that men were wanted now more than'at any time, for the Empire wi« hard pressed" and, further, when t cam* »o a onestion of peace thet yann> to have a Strnnrv , r)II - ,„ llle |lf ,| (l so that thev

;•-»•■■.: not be able to dictate terms and not have to accept a ny compromise'. Referring to the -new recruiting scheme, his Worship said it did not appeal to him personally. It was a canvass for men, and this ought not to be necessary when there was' so much at stake. Thousands of men had given in their names as willing to serve, and they should come forward. It lowered the voluntary system when men had, as it were, to be pressed into service. However, this did not apply to the men leaving on this occasion. They had offered their services freely, and cm behalf of the townspeople he extended to them the best of good wishes, and e>:the hope that ere long they would have the pleasure of welcoming them back again safe and well.