MEN IN EGYPT

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 118, 21 May 1941, Page 6

MEN IN EGYPT

MR. FRASER'S VISIT

CEREMONIAL PARADE

A TOUR AROUND

(N.Z.E.F. OfficiaLNews Service.) CAIRO, May 20.

Making their first ceremonial parade since their return from Greece, the JNew Zealand Divisional troops in Egypt on Sunday morning marched past the Dominion Prime Minister, Mr. Fraser, who afterwards thanked them sincerely for the splendid part they had taken in the Dattle which the British Commonwealth was fighting. Three rousing cheers for the Prime Minister were given by ali the n.en on parade, whose soldierly bearing, discipline, and precision impressed all who were present.

initiative, self-reliance, co-operation, uiscipime, and a belief in the cause tor which they were fighting, said Mi. Eraser, were the factors which nelpea io make their performance so splendia fhe people at home had been ver> anxious and while they mourned tht xoss of the tine lads who fell, and then nearts went out in sympathy to the oereaved parents and other relatives, they were thankful that the casualties nad not been so heavy as was feared.

On behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand he expressea the highest admiration of their magnificent achievements, and for their many deeds of courage and daring. It was no exaggeration to say that no soldiers could possibly have done better than they had done, and histoo recorded no finer or more stirring epi iodes than those in which they haa figured so gallantly and effectively during the marvellous retreat when the New Zealand men fought a rearguard action which covered the British forces vi Greece. COUNTRY PROUD OF THEM. Everybody in New Zealand was| proud of them. The Dominion's heart-1 lelt thanks were theirs. They had | fought for New Zealand —the finest country on earth—as well as for the British Commonwealth and the cause Ox human freedom. They knew that a triumph for democracy meant not only the-preservation of the freedom enjoy ed by the people of New Zealand and the maintenance of existing high stand ards of social opportunities, but even ■ail] finer possibilities in the future tor the people as a whole. Both General Wavell and Major-GeneraJ Freyberg expressed to him their highest admiration for the fine work of the New Zealand Division in Greece. Mr. Fraser attended a church service, the officiating padre being the Rev. Keith Watson. Stopping at times and talking to small groups of men and hearing their stories of the Greek campaign, the Prime Minister visited various parts of the camp in which the men were stationed. Everywhere he heard the same story—that the men felt, that they had the measure of their Nazi enemies and were looking forward to another chance to meet them. The men in their turn plied the Prime Minister with questions about New Zealand—how things were going in their own country. Mr. Fraser was able to tell them the latest news and give them information about various topics in which they were interested. After lunch, with senior officers of ihe camp he proceeded to a large prison «*amp where the guard was furnished by New Zealanders who had taken pari in the Greek campaign. Here he brief ly addressed the men and repeated his message from the people to tlie troops Italian md German prisoners were confined in this camp. BACK AT HOSPITAL. A second visit to a large hospital was undertaken to see mer that he had been unable to see on the first occasion. The administration, the stores, and laboratories were inspected and Mr. Fraser expressed the opinion that they were all of a uniformly high standard. He said it spoke • Volumes for the nurses and doctors of the N.Z.E.F. hospitals that he had not heard a single complaint trom any patient, but, on the contrary, the highest'praise from all the patients, some bf whom were from the Australian and British forces.

The Kiwi Club also was again visited. Mr. Fraser today visited a large New Zealand base camp. He first went to the field supply depot and showed great interest in the whole of the arrangements for the supply of meat, vegetables, and dry rations to the forces. He was pleased to see a considerable amount of New Zealand produce being used. Meat he inspected, said the sergeant butcher, was good North Island beef. TRAINING OPERATIONS. For the first time since he arrived in the Middle East the Prime Minister saw troops at training and learning to use field guns which wrought such havoc on the Hun in Greece, and learning to apply the fine instrumental work of survey to the needs of war. During his visit to the artillery survey company he met and chatted with several Public Works Department engineers who are carrying out the traditions of the Department in the Army. Mr. Fraser had morning tea with the infantry sergeants and paid a visit to the V.M.C.A. hut. He was gratified to see the steps thai are being taken to provide recreational facilities in the camps. An inspection of the Lowry Hut, which is in course of erection, concluded the morning's programme. Here Mr. Fraser met Mrs A P F. Chapman, who is attached to the New Zealand V.M.C.A and has the. distinction of being the only woman V M C.A worker with the New Zealand troops. The hut will be without doubt one of the best of its; kind in the Middle East and New Zealanders have reason to be thankful to the donor for his generosity.