GENERAL GODLEY.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 August 1917, Page 1

GENERAL GODLEY.

A STRONG ATTACK IN THE HOUSE.

WELLINGTON. August 17

Some very plain speaking was indulged in by Air. C. J. Barr, member for Eden, regarding General Godley, in his speech on the Budget in the House this afternoon. Air. .Parr said mat in his opinion it was a most unfortunate thing for this country that General Godley should still command our army at the front. Ninety per cent, at least of the officers and men who had returned said hard things of the General. Last year lie (Air. Parr), had the opportunity of talking with hundreds of men and many officers not only at the front hut in the bases and camps, and in the hosptials. Everywhere he found the same feeling; the. General possessed neither the regard nor the respect of his men. There was a feeling of unconcealed hostility towards him and hitter dislike among all ranks. This feeling ol intense dislike was not new it began in Egypt and grew under the experiences of Gallipoli, and had become even stronger in France and England. He would not have mentioned the subject at all hut he was convinced that, the Government ought to take notice and not ignore this thing. (Hear, hoar.) This feeling against the General was universal, persistent, and, he thought ineradicable. He felt sure that a difficulty of some kind might have arisen but for the fact that we had bees served by two excellent officers in Genorals Russell and Richardson in England and France who were immediately under General Godley, and who did all the rough spadework. They possessed not only the respect hut the warm esteem of.their various commands. Mr. Barr Kent on to say that one cause of complaint was that General Godley selected English officers instead ol- New Zealanders for- his, staff. Further the recommendations for titles honours and .promotions made by the Commander-in-Chief had in many instances given keen dissatisfaction at the front. He (Air. Pan) admitted that General Godley had always exercised great tact and diplomacy in dealing with his superiors, and it half that tact and diplomacy had been exercised in dealing with the rank and file there would he less-complaint-. Air. Parr concluded by urging that- the Government should take steps to have General Godley promoted to some other command and have the Annies re-united under General Birdwood . ilr. It. ileCiilliun who visited the New Zealand -Army while it was 'quartered in Egypt, rebuked MV. Parr ior his unwarrantable attack on a high Imperial Officer. General Godley was not under the control of the New Zealand Government hut under the Imperial Government. It was perhaps true that General Godley was unpopular with his officers— Air. Parr: And with the whole army.

Ai r. McCallum: “Ho is not unpopular with the 'whole army: that isu ». gross exaggeration.” He went oil to sav that it was General Godley’s /.cal for tlie welfare of the men in his command that made him unpopular with some of his officers. There was an occasional talk among the men about General Godley but a' lot of this was encouraged by the officers who did not like the General, and there were men who talked about General Godley who had never met him and had not chance of ever meeting him. He though it was exceedingly regrettable that this attack had been made on a very worthy officer.