HONORING THE SOLDIERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 April 1919, Page 7

HONORING THE SOLDIERS.

CEREMONY AT MANGATOKL Sir James Allen unveiled a roll of honor at iMangatoki on Friday. Mr Curteis, chairman of the local Fatriotic Committee, taid the roll contained the names of 08 soldiers from the Mangatoki district. With the exception ot nine men, who went away before the Patriotic Committee came into existence, every one of these 68 lads had received a 'litting farewell, and every one who had come home was iproperly welcomed back. It seemed a. fitting iinale to the great work that had 'been carried through that the Minister lor Defence should now unveil their honors hoard. (Applause.) In the course of (his speech, Sir Jas. Allen said all would be pleased with the knowledge that the New Zealand Division in France compared more than favorably with any- other division there. That division was "fully maintained from the day it was formed there till the end of the war, and that could not be said of the war, and that could not be said of any division -of the British Army or of any other army in the world. (Applause.) Reinforcements, were always provided to fill gaps. That was a pledge made to the men More they went away originally, and the people of this country could take to themselves the satisfaction of knowing that New Zealand had been one of the most patriotic and loyal parts of the British Empire. Our men had made a reputation that every man, woman and child in New Zealand had reason to be proud of. Whenever a difficult task had to be done a New Zealander was called upon to do it. When a drive took place or when there was a break in the line New Zealanders were called-jipon, and they proved equal to their tasks. In that last great drive one of the most brilliant achievements was the storming of Le Quesnoy by the New Zealand Division—(applause)—and it was a fitting termination to all the work our men were called upon to do. They never once failed, either in the trenches or on the battlefield, and more than that, they never failed to earn a name that New Zealand could he proud of off the battlefield- Generally they earned a name that rebounded to their credit and to the credit of the country from which they came. (Applause.) He congratulated those who had come safely through the war. "I trust that those who see this roll of honor unveiled will recollect what it is put here for." coneluded Sir James. "It represents to von in this district the finest and greatest traditions that New Zealand lias ever hud, and probably ever will have. The chance for such traditions will probably never come again, and we do not want it again with all its sufferings and sacrifice cf lives of our young men—lives sacrificed to save this country and purchase freedom for us. This roll of honor represents the great efforts New Zealand made, and mora particularly the efforts of those who went fromi this district It represents "Teat traditions,- great sacrifices made, and duty done. Those who come later and look upon it should never forget the stress and strain of the last four years; and it should stimulate them to inore energetic and successful effort in the interests of their ee-untrv " Sir James Allen then unveiled the rnT, of honor, and three hearty cheers were given for those whose names appeared thereon—'Star