SIR JOHN DUIGAN

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 117, 20 May 1941, Page 8

SIR JOHN DUIGAN

BRITISH OFFICER TO TAKE CHARGE

LOAN FOR FEW MONTHS

The impending retirement of Major-General Sir John Duigan, K.8.E., C.8., D.5.0., Chief of the General Staff, was announced by the Acting Prime Minister (Mr. Nash) .today. Mr. Nash also stated that at the request of the New Zealand Government the United Kingdom Government had placed at its disposal for a few months the services of Lieutenant-General Sir Guy Williams, late General Officer Ccmmanding-in-Ghief, Eastern Command. This'senior officer, who is oh his way to New Zealand, is to advise the Government on military organisation and training. "It is with the greatest reluctance," said Mr. Nash, "that the Government has acceded to General Duigan's request that he should be permitted to retire. While he has for some time been anxious to go, he consented to remain at his post at the special request of the Government. But now he feels that his health, which has been indifferent for some 'time, will no longer stand the severe strain which the, duties of Chief of the General Staff demand. OUTSTANDING SERVICES. "I would like to take this opportunity, on behalf of the Government," continued Mr. Nash, "of paying a sincere tribute to General Duigan's outstanding services. Because of their confidence in-him, and because of his experience, and sound grasp of the defence problems of New Zealand, his

Major-General Sir John Duigan. term has been extended on several occasions. It was his duty to plan and to organise the mobilisation and training of the New Zealand Forces, and this ■task he and his staff have per-, formed in a manner which must earn them the appreciation and gratitude of the people of the Dominion. "His wish^to do his duty at whatever cost to' himself is, I know, the mark of a good soldier, and I am voicing the opinion of all who have been associated with him in saying that no soldier could have served his country better than has General Duigan during the four years of his term as Chief of the General Staff. "Prior to his retirement General Duigan proposes to visit the main camps throughout the Dominion." LOAN OF SENIOR OFFICER. The following statement was also issued by Mr. Nash:— "His Majesty's Government in New Zealand has asked his Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom for the loan of a senior military officer for a few months to advise the New Zealand Government on problems relating to the organisation and training of our military forces. The 'services of LieutGeneral Sir Guy Williams, late General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Command, have been placed at the disposal of the New Zealand Government for that purpose, and he is on his way to New Zealand accompanied by a small staff."