CHRISTMAS ON SERVICE.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 March 1917, Page 8

CHRISTMAS ON SERVICE.

OUR SOLDIERS AND SAILORS: MEN WELL CATERED FOR. In iTis address to tlie public meeting at Stratford on Wednesday evening, Sir James Allen, Minister for Defence, read several letters and made reassuring statements concerning New Zealand men on active service. He said that tlie 20th Reinforcements had reached their destination safely, and that the 21st and 22nd Reinforcements had arrived all well at certain ports. He had received a letter from Captain J. B. Hine, of Stratford, stating that he was well. (Applause.) Colonel Allen said he had received a .letter from General Godley, stating that New Zealand was maintaining a division in full strength at the front, and had reserves in France and in England, from which reinforcements could be drawn whenever the need arose. Colonel Allen ventured to gay that ■when the history of the war came to be written, New Zealanders would read it with pride. They would feel proud of the men for what they had done on Gallipoll and in France. They would feel proud of the mothers and fathers of those men, and proud of the country which had sent them forth. Nothing would add more to the glorious history of this war than the sacrifice and bravery of those who had sent their sons away. The speaker said he knew.all would he interested ito learn how the > New Zealanders had fared at Christmas. He read a letter from General liichardaon, who said that no troops were bet-, ter provided for at Christmas than the Sow Zealanders. Through the kindly offices of the War Contingent Association and the Y.M.C.A. arrangements were nsade for the entertainment of all the fer Zealand men in England and at tl le - front. Colonel Allen paid a high tribute to the splendid work of the YMCA ' d 'l sa ' l ' ' lonor *° tl' c ' m! " Captain Hall- T "°'"F 0 "/, °! Pl,i I lon 'f 1 ' had written sta>* !h:i ' i iro ! , " h th ? generositv of the > v /« ,and .I ,eo P ,e the men'of the ship hau »*MJ S>™> a very enjoyable time at Chris ma *- Jl!e men of tlie Philomel had had vof v W' ing experiences while on active serva" 6 " of them were on their way bafck to New Zealand. Concluding, Colonel Allen said all hoped that during this coining British summer the - climax would be reached. He recognised the tremendous sacrifice the people of New Zealand had been called upon to face, and there was no prouder man in the country than the Minister for Defence, because of the character of the people of New Zealand jfnd the manner in which they had borne their share of the sacrifice. The philosophy, good humor, and determination of the people of New Zealand moved him to admiration. He saw in these features the foundation of a ration of which the people and coming tt >"nerations might well be proud. (Apj plause.)