THIRD ECHELON

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 August 1940, Page 7

THIRD ECHELON

MASTERTON DISTRICT MEN ENTERTAINED DINNER & CIVIC GATHERING. ADDRESSES AT OPERA HOUSE ON SATURDAY. .Members of I lie Third Echelon from Masterful) and district were entertained on Saturday evening at dinner at the Empire Hotel by the .Mastertoil District Patriotic Committee and later they attended a civic gathering in the Opera House. The men marched to the Opera House, headed by the .Masterton Municipal Band ami upon their appearance on the stage were heartily applauded. The Mayor, .Mr T. Jordan, presided and also on the platform were the Mayoress, .Mrs Jordan. Mr J. Robertson, M.P., Mrs Robertson, Mr R. E. Gordon Lee (chairman of the Masterton Comity Council), Mr R. Whyburn (president of the Wairarapa R.S.A.), Mi’ G. T. O’Hara Smith (Town Clerk) and .Mr J. C. D. .Macklev (Masterton County Clerk).

Apologies for absence were received from Messrs S. Schofield (chairman) and W. G. Groves of the Castlepoin. County Council. The proceedings opened with the playing by the Municipal Band of the first verse of "God Defend New Zealand."

“What is it that we fight for in this struggle’?” asked Mr Jordan. "What prospect is there that we shall in the end secure a better world for which this fight is fought’?” Twenty years ago. Mr Jordan went on, Britain was fighting a war to end war and they all knew to what extent they were disillusioned. If they were to keep theirbearings as a nation, they must base themselves firmly on social, moral and religious standards. No country could be at peace with itself or with any other country on any other basis, for the discord throughout the world today was merely the reflection of the turmoil and strife in the minds of men. If, therefore, they were to recapture the secret of law and order in international society—and here he spoke of all nations—they must as individuals strive to erect or to maintain standards that would bring true freedom to the earth through the way of discipline and service. They must readily admit that they, like other peoples of the earth, had not always lived up to their professions. Their history had not been free from faults; it had taken quite a long time to establish the universal practice and priciples of tolerance and goodwill which had now won general acceptance. BRITAIN’S PROUD RECORD. But the proud record of the British race stood to be judged in facts that could not be questioned. It was a fact that during the last century, when the power of Great Britain was unchallenged throughout the world, there was no nation in the world that felt its security imperilled by Britain s power or did not recognise in Britain’s power an instrument for peace. Pax Britannica had been no empty or self-righteous boast of purpose. It was fact, too, that in every corner of the world where men of the British race had established themselves and exerted some influence, there would be found the seed and flower of liberty. It was the trail that marked their progress across the world, fed by the principles of good faith, respect for law and equal justice. Most truly, therefore, of their people was it said: "Their country's cause is the high cause of freedom and honour. That fairest earthly fame, the fame ol freedom, is inseparable from the names of Albion. Britain, England. DEFENCE OF FREEDOM.

“My message, therefore, to you is: Be so proud of the race to which you belong that you will be as zealous of its honour as you are of its safety and that you will fight for both with equal determination,” said Mr Jordan. The struggle will be arduous, it may be long and it will certainly demand of our nation that it should withhold nothing that may contribute to our strength. Let us never forget that of all the resources at our command, the most powerful will be the quality oi our resolution, fed by a true perception of the responsibility laid upon each one of us and of the spirit in which that responsibility must be discharged." Mr Jordan went on to state that in front of the Viceroy's house in New Delhi stood a column on which was inscribed these words: "In thought, faith; in word wisdom: in deed, courage; in life, service. So may India be great.” No one of them could oiler for their Commonwealth or their country any better prayer today, said Mr Jordan, and so might New Zealand be great. To the troops, he said they followed on the lines of the great tradition of the First New Zealand Division —the great silent division—that was unsurpassed in any army or any front, in the last war. They were confidenthat these traditions would be in safe keeping. They would follow them with their gratitude, their sympathy anctheir prayers, and wished them Goo speed in their mission, wherever i might be and a safe return. To those who remained behind, he referred ti words uttered two thousand years ag( and he believed would be uttered two thousand years from now: "Take these men for your example, like them remember that prosperity would be only for the free and freedom itself was the sure possession of those alone who had the courage to defend it."

A PART FOR EVERYONE. Major C. J. Williams, on behalf o' the members of the Third Echelon present that night, expressed their thanks for the very warm reception given te them, and also for the inspiring word' the Mayor had spoken to them. They knew that the struggle into which they were going would be an arduous one and as Mr Jordan had said it might be a long one. They did not know yet where they would be culled upon tr serve. They' knew. too. they were ur against something very solid. They had all heard of the part German thoroughness had played and that thoroughness had manifested in the last few month" in a way never known before ana their foes could not be underestimated They also must remember not to adopt

an attitude of defeatism. The future rested with themselves and their attitude and the will to win was what would bring them through. The conflict was not one merely between armed forces; it was a conflict between peoples. Those who were going away were not the only ones who were serving in this war. Everyone had a part to play and those serving overseas knew they had ihe confidence of those who stayed here, who were also doing their part. The Mayor, he said, had referred to the great traditions to be upheld and the confidence he had in those called upon to uphold them. That also would be a great support to the men in the task that was ahead of them. A braver new world would surely come, with international justice and freedom for all.

Three cheers for the Third Echelon were given at the conclusion of Major Williams's address, followed by the singing of "For They Are Jolly Good Fellows.”

DINNER AT EMPIRE. The dinner at the Empire Hotel was attended by about 60 members of the Third Echelon, besides representatives of local bodies and the R.S.A., Mr Jordan presided. After the loyal toast, proposed by the chairman, Mr Whyborn, president of the Wairarapa R.S.A. proposed the toast of his Majesty's Forces, Colonel J. H. Irving replying. Colonel Irving proposed a toast to members of the Old Guard. The gathering stood in silence as a mark of respect to the late Leading Aircraftsman T. E. Denbee.. Members of the Third Echelon present were—Major C. J. Williams, Capt J. C. Holmes, Lieut Chesterman, StaffSergt S. H. Spicer, Sergts R. Radcliffe, R. G. Clarke. K. E. Power, A. E. Christian: Corpls J. A. Marshall. T. H. McDonald: L Cor M.Kjar.E. Eastwood, A. Maxwell. L. W. Liddington. N. B. Flaws, D. E. Aitken; Bomb. A. L. Simmonds: Sappers T. M. N. Coley. T. W. B. Smith. J. C. McAliece. E. H. Hargood. A. R. Dickason, E. R. M. Button. J. W. Morris, J. T. Madeley, A. H. Mudgway. R. Dorset; Gunners M. V. Dooling. S. C. Olliver; Trooper E. Wingate; Signalman R. K. Simpson; Prvts Roy Blake. Walter A. Taplin, P. Gaskin. 11. W. Carle. A. Gunther, R. Churchousc. W. Newland, E. Meurke. L. J. Newland. J. Morgan. W. M. McDonald. J. A. Reid. L. Blackley. H. Howan, J. H. Simmonds. C. Bliss. C. Rayner. R. A. McPhail. C. Carroll. T. Hawksworth. R. T. Graham, J. Haxton. R. L. Faulknor. P. B. Black. T. S. Taylor, T. Renall, B. Thompson. L. Patrick.