THE NINTH DIVISION

Evening Post, Volume CXXXV, Issue 151, 28 June 1943, Page 4

THE NINTH DIVISION

Sir^—lt was with a great deal of satisfaction that Australians in Wellington, particularly men of the first A.LF., listened to the generous tribute paid by Lieut-General Sir Bernard Freyberg to the 9th Australian Division when he spoke at the civic reception last Tuesday. The satisfaction was complete, not because we had any doubt that the A.I.F. acquitted themselves with honour at Tobruk and elsewhere in the Middle East, but because the .General's tribute confirmed the views that'we believe most NewZealanders held. We are grateful to Sir Bernard Freyberg for his genex-ous gesture so characteristic of the great man that he is. We honour him just as New Zealanders do, and this association on April 20 last cabled its admiration of the splendid achievements of the New Zealand Division to General Fx^eyberg. There can be no question that the destinies of Australia and New Zealand are indissolubly bound together, and it is the duty of everybody, particulai-ly those in high places, to sti-engthen the bonds between the two countries at every opportunity. Sir Bernard Freyberg's visit has been an inspii-ation to us all, and whatever task he may be called upon to assume on his return to the Middle East, Australians in this country, no less than New Zealanders, will wish him the best of good luck and the honour he so richly deserves. —I am, etc., THEO H. ASHTON, ' ... Hon. Secretary, A.I.F. Association.