FROM ENGLAND TO EGYPT.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 March 1916, Page 6

FROM ENGLAND TO EGYPT.

NEW ZEALAND DRAFTS LEAVE WEYMOUTH. tßy One of Tiem), January ?9 was given up generally to the forthcoming departure of the'five New Zealand drafts for (as reported) Egypt. The men of these lota were not as jolly and happy as they could have been, «n aeount »f the effect of the ,insenktion f»r enteric wliicli was performed only two days previously. Consequently moat of the men were feeling out of ssrts, «Hd many very sore about tie left arm. Still, notwithstanding this, there was strong'y evident a keenHeso to get away.

Tiere was something inspiring and grand in th« sight, of these fine, hardylooking men marching away to take up again the white man's burden, which bullet and sickness compelled them for a wiile to lay oside. Only those who have looked real war in the face, breathed her foulness, and suffered her pains and terrors can form any adequate idea of the feelings working in these men, acording to each one's particular nature, disposition, and character, as well as his own peculiar experiences at the front. A great burden is upon most of Christendom, and who better able to bear its heavy weight than such men as these, who,' when grim necessity demanded great sacrifices and endurance, ni»rc than justified expectations? Outwardly all was fun and humour; but, no doubt within, in- many cases, was a sadden lump, which would not be dispelled; but over-ruling all was tho spirit of Anzac, that brooked no denial, that m«Ycd tiny remnants—the lucky few who escaped the hail showers of shrapnel, machinJ-gun and rifle bullets—to drive ten times theh - own number of amazed Turks from their trenches; that empowered the newly-tuade warriors to held with tens that which had cost hun* dreds te gain. They are about to leave England, the Home country, where th?y had come for repairs.

Vidt of them Kivd growled a good doal at the weather here, but each and every one will carry away with him a warm and glowing remembrance of the great kindness which the people of Britain has shown to them. Did the spirit of Henry Lawson see anything oC this—the March of the South -within the North—the ring of the heels of tho Hew in the midst of the Old, when ht wrote the prophetic words "The march cf Freedom is north by the dawn," and "East and Nsrth shall the wrongs he hurled, (hat followed v.s South and West"?

Does the march of the snn s of the "outh g.ve na message to the child/en of convention, and circumspection, that a greater freedom and pr-osperity cm coßi'e to their masses with imnunily to the whole nation? If the South ha? in some respects overstepped itself in the matter of freedom, it i:; not an un correctable fault, not an unnatural on».

Such thoughts as these came to rie as I marched —as lam always happy to d»—with the boys whb have .•done so much, and I so little. The d:ods that they did! The unconquerable spirit they manifested at /Anne ross up to meet them like bread upon the w.tcn returning after many days. All Weymouth seemed to cone nut to chow their appreciation and wich them Ged-spced. What little bad 'feeling had been aroused by the unseemly conduct of a few irresponsibles was forgotten and hidden in a great wave of mingled love, gratitude, and admiration that obviously swayed these generousspirited end grateful people. Though our men are returning to hard things and know what is before them, yet there is much to be thankful for. They have earned a reputation equalled by few in history. They have enjoyed some of the just rewards of it here, on —in most cases—good long furlough, and a month or so in England as well, and looked after by the representative of their Government, perhaps better than any other soldiers in the world, and made in every way to feel that,their country as well as Government greatly appreciated their efforts, and have the comfort of knowing that, to whatever front the call of duty takes them, the name they have made will ever be a strong power fighting and striking discouragement and discomfort in the ranks of their enemy. The fife and drum band of the 3rd Dorset Regiment turned out to play them to town, as our camp band had not time to get back to Monte Video after seeing the Australian drafts away. This act of the Dorset Regiment was doubly appreciated, in view of the fact that there had been some little trouble between the two camps. The boys were very pleased with this mark of good feeling, and gave expression to their feelings in no stir.ted measure and in true colonial way. A few minutes after the arrival at the station sufficed to see them off into the unknown.