The Evening Star TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1940. THE FIRST 6,000.

Evening Star, Issue 23499, 13 February 1940, Page 8

The Evening Star TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1940. THE FIRST 6,000.

The people of New Zealand, particularly the relatives and friends of the soldiers who answered the call lor the First Echelon, will be relieved to hear of the safe arrival in Egypt of this unit of the Second New Zetland Expeditionary Force. From the news which has now been released it can be gathered that the huge task of transporting the first Australians and New Zealanders to leave their uative shores in the present conflict (except men for the R.A.F.) has been accomplished with very thorough success —a success which of course was made possible not only through stupendous efforts of organisation ashore, but also by the traditional efficiency of the Royal Navy. When it was first learned that HATS. Rain ill ics was lying in Wellington harbour, and that the troops wore to embark on big, last liners of a modern type, it could be gleaned that Great Britain “ meant business.” During the last war it was found that a. convoy was as fast ns the slowest ship sailing with it, and, as speed in wartime is a useful method of keeping out of trouble, the Admiralty has obviously taken care that, in this respect, nothing was left to chance. It lias been found unnecessary, moreover, to go to great expense in order to disembowel troopships and make them as uncomfortable as possible for the men. From all accounts our troops have been treated more or less as first class passengers, and have arrived at their destination tit and eager for any duties on active service that may be expected of them. The cablegrams tell us that the pioneers of the division promised by the New Zealand Government were warmly welcomed on their arrival by representatives of Groat Britain, notably Mr Anthony Eden, I lie W

Dominions Secretary, who flew from England specially for the occasion.

The value attached to the services.of tho Australians and New Zealanders is indeed a significant tribute to the accomplishments of tho N.Z.E.E. in 1914-18. whoso members speedily graduated from tho “ raw colonial ” stago to shock troops of tho highest calibre. To declare that Allied security in tho Middle East is being increased through tho despatch of a new generation of Anzaos and some of the old hands, too, can be no idle boast. When it was announced some time ago that the advance guard of the First Echelon had arrived at its destination, the statement was made that a eomfoitable and hygienic camp was being prepared for tho main body. This news, which would bo welcomed by relatives in Now Zealand, has now been confirmed bycablegrams bearing on tho efforts of British troops to make their brothers from the dominions thoroughly at home in their new surroundings. The New Zealanders who landed in Egypt in 1914 were hardly so fortunate either in their troopship accommodation or in camp facilities at their destination. Tho site chosen then, although close to Heliopolis, a suburb of Cairo built on modern lines, had hardly been formed as a camp, and the first trainload of troops to arrive bad to make shift as best they could. Pipes had been laid] down for a water supply, however, and every care was taken to combat disease. Our people may rest assured that the guarding of the soldiers’ health will be one of tho primary objects of the authorities in Egypt. Medical science, efficient as it was twentyfive years ago, has made still greater strides. If serious fighting comes to the Middle East the troops from' the Antipodes will bo fit and ready to meet it and to conduct a campaign every whit as efficiently as their predecessors of the “ old brigade.” Fortunately there is always the chance that the imposing massing of troops in the Middle East will' discourage enemies and potential enemies from casting covetous eyes in that direction.