WARM TRIBUTES.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVIII, Issue 10727, 26 October 1928, Page 2

WARM TRIBUTES.

DINNER TO SHU G . RICHARDSON BY N.Z, ASSOCIATION Halted Press Assn, by El. Tel. CopyTicht Australian Press Assn.—United Servioa . LONDON, Oct. 24. The New Zealand Association gave a luncheon to General Richardson at the iSavoy Hotel. Sir James Parr, in proposing a toast, congratulated the association upon the large and representative gathering at its first function. Ho said it was a fitting tribute to General Richardson as commander of the New Zealand forces. He was no unsympathetic martinet; he was rather a warm-hearted friend of the lowliest soldiers. His Samoan administration had been cruelly attacked, but the League of Nations had disproved tho slanders and lies which were broadcast throughout tht world by a small hectic cotei’ie of beach agitators' General Richardson always adhered to tile spirit of the 'mandate in befriending the natives. He mapped out a progressive educational scheme and vanquished the dread yaw's and hookworm diseases. General Richardson, in replying, said he considered the occasion a- tribute to Neiv Zealand’s dead soldiers rather than to himself. The world ought to do its "utmost to prevent a recurrence of the slaughter of the young men whose- graves in France saddened and depressed him. He tried in’Samoa and elsewhere to befriend the under dog. New Zealand’s administration had been so successful that the natives of a former dying race were now increasing.

SYMPATHY FOR SIR, CHAS. SKERRETI" The Association, at the -instance of Sir William Pember Reeves, decided to cable Sir Chas. Skerrett its warmest sympathy and hope that he would surmount the suffering he was undergoing.