FREYBERG BACKS “NEW ORDER” IN ARMY LEADERSHIP

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22820, 15 December 1948, Page 9

FREYBERG BACKS “NEW ORDER” IN ARMY LEADERSHIP

(10 a.m.) SYDNEY, Dec. 15. After presenting the diplomas to 43 graduates, including five from New Zealand of the Royal Military College, Duntroon, yesterday. Sir Bernard Frey, berg addressed an assembly of cadets, relations and friends. He stressed the need for strong co-operation between Australia and New Zealand.

‘ We are passing through very difficult times,” he said. “Compared with the great Powers, Australia and New Zealand are only drops in the bucket and must draw together not only in trads and transport, but also in defence. 1

“Graduates of this college are brought up under strict discipline which is quite right for the regular army. When some of you start on your careers, you may be training a citizen or a volunteer army which is a different thing altogether." Led by Example

He told the graduates that future soldiers must be led by example and not by guards and pickets.

• “The old days have gone now,” he said. “You future officers must control your men by commonsense and not by the dignity of your rank. In the First World War, although I was an officer, I had to march with the men and carry my pack. Today even a private expects to be driven everywhere.

“He must not be burdened by too rigid discipline. Make your men respect you and they will obey. “The New Zealand army has nonrigid discipline where men and officers mix as equals and we are a better fighting force because of it.” Sir Bernard Freyberg emphasised it was an officer’s duty to keep his men fit. . The only way. to do this was by marching—the test' being a march of 40 miles in 24 hours with very few men falling out.

N.Z. GRADUATES (11. a-m.) CANBERRA, Dec. 15, Five New Zealand cadets who graduated at Duntroon Royal Military College yesterday were: Corporal J. R, Clarke, of Lower Hutt; Lance-Cor-poral H. B. Honnor, New Plymouth; Colour Sergeant R. K. Treacher, of Epsorrf, Auckland; Under-Officer J. Brooke, Wellington; and Sergeant R. R. Harding, Napier.