32nd REINFORCEMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 July 1917, Page 2

32nd REINFORCEMENTS.

NEW PLYMOUTH'S FAREWELL. - There was a good crowd on the platform of the Xew Plymouth raihvav station yesterday morning to bid good-bve to the local men who left to go into camp with the 32nd Reinforcements. A number of the Citizens* (Band were in attendance, under Conductor F. W. 0. McLcod, and enlivened the interesting proceedings with several martial and inspiriting airs.

The men assembled at the old drill hall and marched to the rooms of the Women's Patriotic Committee, where lliey were regaled with tea and sandwiches, while each man was presented with a hold-all by the ladies' committee and cigarettes hy the Mayor.

Mr. T. C. List said he,had been asked by the Mayor to say a few words of fare,veil to the men.' This he regarded as an honor to do, for he felt they who were left could not do too much for those who had gone and were going to fight the battles of the country. Few would have thought it possible three years ago that Xew Zealand could have Kent away nearly ninety thousand men and thirty-two reinforcements. ' Still more, men, however, would be needed. The end was not in sight. The crisis in Russia iwas making it necessary for the Allies to put forth greater efforts than ever in order to win the war, and the British Empire had to do Its share. In this New Zealand could he depended ilium. Soon the Second 'Division would be called upon. He liaiT attended the Conference in Wellington last week, and he vouhl assure them that every man there, including extreme Socialists, was ready to obey the call when it came. (Applause). Second Division men had been accused of selfishness in organising and battling for bolter conditions. Hut the accusation was unjustified. They were not askinc for better pay for themselves or to be treated differently in any other respect from the members of the First Division. They simply sought adequate provision for the maintenance of their wives and children or other dependents. And they desired the same treatment for the dependents -widowed mothers, helpless fathers or other de- [ pendents—of the First Division soldiers. Thev aimed at putting a dependent in i the same position, or as nearly as possible in the same position as they enjoyed before the soldier was called upon for military service. The men going that morning had answered the call, and there was no doubt that when the test came they would be eoual to it, as the brave men who had gone before had been, and, confident in themselves and the triumph of our cause, maintain the reputation and traditions of Taranaki and New Zealand as a whole. On behalf i of the town he wished them God speed mid good luck. (Cheers). j His Worship the Mayor then called for cheers for the men, which were heartily given. The following were the men who departed:—W. T. Aitken, A. Barnett, j

A'. H. Callaglian (Auckland). H. Calslier, I>. Clenw, T. P. Davison, A. J. Dudley, ' iJ. >.. Horsnell. C. F. Hawke, A. J f Hawkins, R. Holy, C. H. Kempton Auckland), F. H. Kihvorth. F. Lauder, | is. M. A. McGratli, T\ McGratli, J- M. Manson, J. McEldowney, A. i , McKay, U It. Olson, C. C. Oakes, A. J. M ! Orchard, A. Pcntelow. H. Patterson-. S. ! \. Pcddie, A. A. Kogers, W. 11. Rogers;' \. E. Simpkiss (reporting at Trentham). '■ »■ H. Simons, S. W. Shirley, W: H'■'' I Smith. KA, Warner, T. L. Wab»b ' i