A GREAT TRADITION

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20137, 5 January 1940, Page 6

A GREAT TRADITION

FIRST ECHELON FAREWELL LUNCHEON COMMANDER’S TRIBUTE DISTINGUISHED COMPANY BIG CONVOY READY (Per Press Association.) . WELLINGTON, this day. “In three days I have seen every man and i;nct every officer of the First Echelon. It was impossible for me in that short time to make a thorough inspection, but I will stake any military authority or reputation I may have in. saying that I am personally satisfied that they will strive hard to maintain the traditions of the First New Zealand Expeditionary Force, and I say also that they will not strive in vain." This statement was made yesterday by Major-General B. C. Freyberg, V.C., commander of the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force, at a luncheon given by the Government in honour of the First Echelon and its escort. The luncheon, given at Parliament House, was attended by a distinguished company of guests, both local and visiting. The naval representatives present congratulated New Zealand on the part played by H.M.S. Achilles in the engagement with the Graf von Spee. Rear-Admiral J. G. Grace, of H.M.A.S. Canberra, said that the Achilles must be the envy of all sailors. Captain H. T. Baillie-Grohman, of I-I.M.S. Ramilies, said that the Achilles had tipped the scales in the engagement. It seemed just a few days since the question of the transport and convoy of Now Zealand troops had been discussed with the War Office and the British Admiralty, said the Minister of Education and Health, the Hon. P. Fraser, in proposing Ihe toast to “Our Guests.” Protecting Ships At these discussions it was recognised that the transport which was good enough 25 years ago was not up to the standard of modern requirements. The War Office had fully entered into that conception. As a result, they saw to-day some of the finest ships afloat available for the transport of the troops At a rough estimate there were 124,500 tons of shipping now available for the purpose of conveying and protecting the men of the Firsl Echelon. As it was but six weeks since these matters had been discussed, It said a great'deal for the organisation o’- the British Commonwealth generally and the Admiralty and the Ministry of Shipping in particular that in. this period the ships were readily available.

It was the first time that a ship of the Ramifies type had visited New Zealand. The occasion was also notable for the fact that there were ships of the P. and O. Line, the Orient'Line, the C.P.R. Line, the New Zealand Shipping Company and the British India Company in port. It was won derful that these ship.- should be at the command of, the Governments of the Britis/i Commonwealth ana be here at the service of the New Zealand Government.

Major-General Freyberg had been welcomed spontaneously and sincerely in New Zealand and there was not, a discordant note as to his suitability to take command.

Fine Leadership

All who saw the inspiring parade of the previous day realised what a fine, fit body of men these soldiers of the First Echelon were, said Major-General Freyberg. He was informed that there had been similar parades at Auckland and in the south. Of those who saw the parade, possibly many took it for granted without realising the tremendous amount of work done by the New Zealand Staff Corps under the fine leadership of MajorGeneral Duigan, also the work done by the citizen army who had given up time and energy when military matters were not so important as now. He did not think it was generally realised what a difficult job it was to pick commanders for a new force. There were in the New Zealand Staff Corps four men all perfectly fit to take each job. He knew what it meant to professional soldiers* to forge material and then to see them go away while they remained behind, but they had to stay because it was necessary to maintain the standard of the drafts that were to come.

Selecting officers in New Zealand at the present was a difficult task.. The Great War was now 20 years in the past, and those who had commanded companies and battalions in it were now reaching the extreme age limit of suitability as unit commanders. To show that it was realised that young New Zealanders must be encouraged, two officers under the age of 35 years were being picked to command units in the Third Echelon.

“Strangest of Wars”

Rear-Admiral Grace said that his ship had been invited by the New Zealand Government to visit Wellington at about this time in connection with the centenary celebrations, but in times of peace, when the invitation was extended, it was not found possible to accept because of commitments. Now, with the heavier commitments of war, here they were, so that this strangest of wars had its compensations. Despite their very short stay, it was hoped that they would visit New Zealand again shortly, though he feared that these visits, too, would be brief.

Captain Baillie-Grohman thanked the people of Wellington for what they had done for the officers and men of his ship. They had been entertained magnificently. After seven weeks at sea, travelling at high speed, and with only two nights in harbour, this hospitality was most welcome. When his ship arrived at Fremantle, British sailors had not been seen there for so long that the inhabitants thought the Royal Marines were German prisoners of war. The toast of the British Empire, the Allies, France and Poland was also drunk and the Marsellaise played. The Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage, was unable to attend the luncheon. The Ministers present were the Hon. W. Nash, the Hon. F. Jones, and the Hon. H. T. Armstrong.