A FAREWELL MESSAGE.

Press, Volume L, Issue 15100, 16 October 1914, Page 8

A FAREWELL MESSAGE.

GENERAL GODLEY'S TRIBUTE TO

THE CITIZEN ARMY.

AND THANKS TO THE PEOPLE

(PRESS ASSOCIATION' TELEGRAM.) WELLINGTON. October 15. Major-General Godley has sent ihe following to the Press:— "On leaving the Dominion in command of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. I wish, on its behalf, to thank all ranks of the Citizen Army, both permanent and Territorial, for the loyal support and assistance they have given in its fori/w----tion. it must bo a ,i;reat satisfaction to the regiment of lloyal New Zealand Ar±il;ery, the officers of the. New Zealand Statf Corps, warrant aid non-commissioned officers of the New Zealand Staff Corps, warrant and non-commissioned of the New Zealand Permanent Stair , , clerical a,nd store* staffs, and all ranks of the Territorial Force to realise that their hard work and devotion to duty during the past few years havo succeeded in producing to fine and wellorgniiised a body of men as the Expeditionary Force which 1 have the honour to command. I feel also yiat •we owe the deepest gratitude to the old Volunteers and their organisation, upon which the Territorial scheme "was based. Noo only they, but also the other branches of the Citizen Army—the rifle clubs and cadets —may feel that they have- an important "share in tho result that has been obtained. all tlie Royal New Zealand

Artillery—New Zealand Staff Corjvs, New Zealand Permanent Staff. Clerical and Stores Staffs, Territorial Force. Volunteers, Rifle Clubs, ar.d Cadets —I wish to express, on behalf of the Expeditionary Force our deep sense of gratitude and thanks for tho services and spirit which have mado possible tho preparation and despatch of a force so worthy to represent New Zealand, and >*> v.el'r titled to do valuable service for the Empire. "I would impress upon all ranks and upon all branches of }he service the vital necessity of continuing u> maintain in the absence of Uie Expeditionary Force- the fame high standard of effort, not only in order that drafts of equal value, shall bedespatched to reinforce it. but- a!s:> that the scheme of universal training for the defence of the D-ominion shail in no way suffer by our absence.

' -i To all citizens ami nil classes of the community I wis-h also to express the gratitude of the Expeditkmary Force for the support and assistance they havo given us. To the ladies who have, worked so hard to provide comforts and necessaries for the troops, to the business community who liave helped materially and iinaiicially, to the farmers -who have given us of their best in the way of horses and forage , , to the professional classes who have ungrudgingly and as a rule gratuitously given us their skilled assistance, to all classes of labour "ho have worked with a will and at high pressure to meet our requirements at short notice, to all branches of the Government, service, to municipal and other public bodies, and to all who have subscribed so liberally to the various patriotic funds, we owe our most grateful thanks.

"1 wish specially to acknowledge the way in which the Press of the Dominion, as a whole, has loyally observed the restrictions rendered necessary by ;v state of war. It is only another instance of the help and support which practically all the news-. I>apors of the country have given to the military authorities during tho past, four years of work in connexion with the inception of the scheme of universal training.

"Thanks to the efforts of the community with respect to the Expeditionary Force and tho support of tho people" in the cause of universal training, wo leave the shores of New Zealand well armed, and well equipped, and it will be the aim and endeavour of every man of the Forco to prove worthy to represent the dominion when he finds himself ranged in Europe alongside the other forces of the Empire.

"For myself I feel that I cannot Adequately express to tho people of the country my gratitude for all the kindness and sympathetic support I have rccerved from them throughout my tenure of command of the New Zealand Citizen Army. I can only say that in return for it all. I will do my best for the Expeditionary Foroo which they have entrusted to by care, and' that it is my earnest hope that I niay return .with it, to the Dominion and so re-visit the many good friend.". I have made in* tho country with which 1 am proud to ho so thoroughly, identified, and of which I hope I "may bo allowed to fool myself almost a citizen. I wisli also to express to tho people my heartfelt thanks for the valuable gift of a sword of honour, which they havo presented to mc on my departure in command of the Expeditionary Forco. I shall valuo it particularly becauseit comes from the people, and if suon a thing were needed, it will always be a delightful reminder to mo of tho happy days I have spent in tho formation of tho Citizen Army of th't country. "Lady G-odley -wishes mo to add how sorry she is to ho leaving tho I>ominion, and that sho hopes very much to return with mo to sco it and all her friends again."

(Signed.) ALEX. J. GODLEY, Major-General, General Officer Commanding N.Z. Expedition ary Force.