HOMEDEFENCE

Evening Post, Volume CXXXII, Issue 60, 8 September 1941, Page 8

HOMEDEFENCE

THE TERRITORIALS

TRAINING SHOULD BE

COMPLETE

VIEW OF NEW C.G.S.

"The longer and more complete the training that is given to the Territorial forces in New Zealand the better prelude it will make to their entry into the Expeditionary [ Force,"said the new Chief of the General Staff, Major-General E. Puttick, who arrived in Wellington by the Limited express today. I At the same time, Major-General Puttick said that he was not sufficiently familiar with the system of home defence in New Zealand at the moment to make any detailed comment. Major-General Puttick was met by the Minister of Defence (Mr. Jones), Brigadier Weir, Colonel A. E. Con way, Colonel H. E. Avery, Colonel L. G. Goss,-Major F. J." C. Piggbtt (representing General Sir Guy Williams), the Mayor, (Mr. T. C. A. Hislop). and the.l Hon. W. Perry, M.L.C. ' r j Referring to the Middle East, Major- | General Puttiek said that the base ] there was enormously strong, stronger than ever it has been in the past. Owing to the advance which had taken place in Syria and the cleaning up of the suitioh in Irak and Iran, the position in the Middle East generally had improved. . "IN GOOD FETTLE." "The troops in the Middle East are in very good fettle," he said. "They are still training, because training is never finished with. They are wanting another go at the Germans, with a more even balance, and with air sup- j port. There is a fine spirit of cb-'J operation between the British and Dominion troops. "The men in Egypt are very well looked after in camp. There have been complaints about the treatment of the men in this respect, but perhaps these are by those people who cqmplain about anything. As far as I could see, the men could get bacon and eggs at the buffet, fried chicken, and grills of all types!. --'■ "As regards Singapore, everything I saw there seemed very efficient, and everyone seemed very confident." GREEK PEOPLE'S COURAGE. Major-General Puttick spoke enthusiastically of the hospitality and sterling qualities of the Greek people, who worked mdefatigably to assist the New Zealand and British troops "In one area, near Mount Olympus, there were hundreds of old men , and j women and ybung girls and boys, working with picks,- shovels, and wheelbarrows on the route improving communications," he said. "I think that the Greek success against the Italians was an inspiration to our troops, and had something ,to do with the success of the British, Australian, and New Zealand troops in those battles in the Libyan desert."