INTENSIVE TRAINING.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 37, 23 November 1939, Page 5

INTENSIVE TRAINING.

TRIBUTE TO GENERAL DUIGAN. CONFIDENCE IN NEW LEADER. : WKLL-MERITF.b;^REPUTATION. ' WELLINGTON, This Day. . “The first echelon of the Special Force has keen undergoing intensive training since October,” said Mr Savage.- “A further step toward providing the force offered was taken on November 11, when officers selected for service with the second echelon were assampled and commenced training. The next step will he concentration of noncommissioned officers Tor service with this echelon. w ‘‘Following upon the advice now received, thej Government is-able, to announce its decision to dispatch the first echelon overseas when the men have completed their New Zealand training and when suitable shipping facilities and naval escort arrangements have been made. On completion of the' embarkation, of the first echelon the men of the second echelon will be called upon. to join their officer’s and n.c.o.’s for training. Already a largo nuinber of enrolments for the second echelon have been made, and ‘further enlistments.. are being taken and will continue to be received.

‘'The fact,that Major-G eneral Ereyherg was available for service overseas has enabled the Government to retain Major-General Duigan in command in New Zealand to*continue the work of organising and training, for which he has shown such marked ability. “I would like to take this opportunitycontinued Mr Savage, “of stating that the Government is warmly appreciative of Major-General Duigau’s services. In. recent months his advice and untiring efforts have been, of the utmost value, nnd.it has been his duty to plan and organise the mobilisation -and training of the . New Zealand F orces _ n task for which his personal qualities and wide experience have specially fitted him; His training in military engineering in particular has enabled him to undertake most successfully ' the" mechanisation of the Army, a development which is so vital a feature of modern warfaie. “Because of its -confidence in the General and because* of his intimate jcnpwlcdge of .our defence, problem and our men, the Government extended bis services for. a, further,. year after the expiration: of his term in March last, and lie has now been asked to continue bis Work here. The people of the Dominion owe a great deal to the untiring efforts he and his staff have made, and arc making, to render this country safe and to build up a fighting force worthy of the • best traditions of the. Dominion.

, “The appointment of Major-General Freyberg needs little comment from me. He received his education here in Wellington and his first military service was with the 6th Hauraki Regiment, Auckland. General Froyberg’s name is known throughout the Dominion as that of a hew Zealand hero of the last war. Ho was awarded the

D.S.O. at the landing on Gallipoli for swimming ashore at Bulair, towing a raft with flares. For further feats of gallantry lie. was later awarded a . first and a second bar to his, D.S.O. “After winning the V.C. in 1916 he was, at the age of 27, promoted to Brigadier-General for his services in the field—the youngest brigadier in the British Army. General Freyberg has earned well-merited reputation as a very fine soldier and as an able administrator, and his acquaintance with the modern methods and equipment of the British Army must be of great value in the task that lies ahead. His appointment will, I am sure, meet with the full approval of soldiers and civilians alike.’’