SIR IAN HAMILTON.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16558, 23 May 1914, Page 12

SIR IAN HAMILTON.

CIVIC RECEPTION AT WELLINGTON. AN INTERESTING SPEECH. [Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, May 22. General Sir lan Hamilton was tendered a civic wclcomo at the Town Hall this afternoon, about one thousand people attending despite the very cold weather. The Mayor (Mr Luke) formally welcomed the distinguished visitor in a brief speech. The Hon James Allen, Minister cf Defence, then spoke. He said he was sure Sir lan’s visit would be of tremendous benefit to tho country. (Applause,) Ho himself had spent a great deal of time with Sir lan during the last three or four weeks, and he had no hesitation in saying that he had learnt a great deal. In the report which their visitor would make upon what he had seen here he hoped that nothing would be glossed overi They wanted to know quite frankly what Sir . lan rthought, and if they were making mistakes Sir lan must point them out. (Applause.) Tiffs was absolutely. necessary, for they wanted to develop the scheme which they had undertaken fully and on the proper lines (Applause.) '. . , , After tho city organist had played a selection, tho Mayor called upon Sir lan to reply. Tho General was most enthusiastically received, there being loud cheers and applause. . . Sir lan thanked the Mayor and citizens most sincerely lor their welcome. He said the speeches that had been made, and the way the people had received him had given him a warmth which he wanted after his work of the morning. The Mayor had said that ho would have been successful in any other profession. This lie doubted, hut if lie had chosen any other calling after wliat lie had passed through ho would certainly choose that of a hatter m Wellington. (Laughter.) But ho had thought while lie was chasing his hat during the morning (laughter), tliat a fierce and fickle climate makes a sturdy and kindly people. _ He would first like to express his joy and gratitude to the Mayor for having referred to his old chiefs, Lord Roberts and Sir George White. “ I constantly see Lord Roberts at Home,” said Sir lan. “ He is just eighty-two, but during the manoeuvres last September, he rode for six anti a half hours in the saddle and appeared none the worse lor it., and he is still going strong.” (Loud applause.) As for Sir George White, Sir lan said he had always looked upon him as the gallant, strong, chivalrous character that he was. (Applause.) As to tho Imperial officers, lie was grateful .for the words of encourage-; ment that had been said. He believed that they were doing their very best and the work they were doing was good also for themselves. In tho military colleges at Home people sometimes got very narrow views of their duties. They got separated from the human element. T-he officers came here and found that they had to come down and teach the two-step. That, he believed, was good for them. All he hoped was that they would give a complete quid pro quo for whatever New Zealand gave them. _ On the other hand, they in Great Brit'ain were most anxious to give New Zealand officers a-show at Home. They had given General Davies the command of a brigade,of infantry at Aldershot, one of the plums -of the service, and he had carried out liis work well. Never for a second had he heard a British officer begrudge the New Zealander the post. (Applause.) Sir lan «ffd he could not say much about.the work of the Territorials now. That must wait for his report to tho Minister, but he was going to break the custom and mention the name of one company. Of all the inspiring sights he had seen in these splendid cadet parades was the company of Junior Cadets of the New Plymouth High School. Those hoys were under fourteen, but in the presence of the Minister and the. officers they had not let an eyelash quiver as (they wore being inspected. He had marvelled at tho graven little images, and had thought how splendid it was to think that such training would ho handed down by tho boys to their children, for he was sure they would never forget what they had learnt. The gathering concluded with cheers for the General.