MR MACDONALD IN KOREA

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26491, 4 August 1951, Page 7

MR MACDONALD IN KOREA

Tour Of New Zealand Units [NX Army Information Servian) IN KOREA, August 1. The New Zealand Government will consider a rotation scheme for troops in Korea. This undertaking was given in answer to questions from gunners of the 18th New Zealand Field Regiment, when the Minister «f Defence (Mr T. L. Macdonald) visited New Zealand units in the field in Korea to-day. Mr Macdonald said he had been 1 surprised to find that some countries had announced rotation schemes for their troops before being ready or able to operate them. The result was that there were United Nations soldiers in Korea who were eligible for relief, but who were still on active service. “I would much rather delay announcing a scheme for you until it is possible to put it into effect without delay,” the Minister said. Although he was unable to make any definite statement at present, he assured the New Zealand gunners that if the war went on, a rotation scheme would be devised and implemented. The only other questions asked coacemed gunners’ pay. The minister said the existing pay code was the result of a careful Inquiry by experts, with the object of retaining qualified instructors in the regular force, and rewarding responsibility. “A Very Coatoatad FmM” So few questions were asked that the Minister commented: “This seems to me to be a very contented force.” Mr Macdonald said he regretted the brevity of his visit, but the coming General Election made a longer stay impossible. ,J lt was greatly heartening in Tokyo to hear everyone who mentioned New Zealanders speak of them .with praise —both for their work and their conduct on leave." said Mr Macdonald. “I know you are all wondering when you will be going home, I wish I knew too. I wish I could ese an end to this campaign, but while there is a job to be done. I know all of you are ready and willing to carry on the work to the end. as you signified earlier, when you volunteered.. “Thor* end tfffnul*.

-mere was some count ana trajnaation at first about how New Zealanders would stand up to the Korean climate, but froth your appearance today, I know that the New Zealand soldier can adapt himself to conditions wherever he may be. You are all looking remarkably healthy and fit” Addressing personnel of the New Zealand Transport Platoon, the Minister said: “I congratulate you,on the job you have done in getting up ammunition for our guns and for the infantrymen of the 27th and 28th British Brigades. I know you have moved up about 90,000 rounds of ammunition for our guns from the railhead. You have all done a very fine job ” Minister's Itinerary Mr Macdonald’s itinerary included a morning flight from Tokyo to an airfield near Seoul, in a staff aircraft placed at his disposal by General Ridgway. Four light observation aircraft and a helicopter took the visiting party, which included the commander of K Force (Brigadier R. S. Park) and the Ministers secretary (Mr T. A. Robertson) to the headquarters of the Ist Commonwealth Division, where the Minister was the guest of the Commander (MajorGeneral Cassel) at luncheon. The party re-embarked in the aircraft after lunch, and arrived at a forward airstrip serving the 28th British Brigade, to which the New Zealand units are attached. They were met by the commanding officer of the regiment (Lieutenant-Colonel J. W. Moodie), and started immediately on a tour of New Zealand units. The Minister addressed the regimental headquarters, the transport platoon, and No. 3 battery individually. Later he toured a sector of the front line, and was photographed with Colonel Moodie at the 38th parallel. His final engagement was a visit to the headquarters of the 28th Brigade, where he met the brigade commander (Brigadier George Taylor). Shortly before dusk, the air convoy carrying the Ministerial party left for Seoul, where the Minister will stay overnight at the British Legation.