MINISTER’S SPEECH

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 305, 24 November 1937, Page 10

MINISTER’S SPEECH

TRIBUTE TO ITALIANS. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) (British Official Wireless.) Received November 24, 10.45 a.m. RUGBY, Nov. 23. Addressing the Italian ex-service-men at the War Office, Mr HoreBelisha said that, as Secretary of War, it was a social privilege for him to pay a tribute to the courage, tenacity and endurance of the Italian soldiers during the Great War. He referred, in particular, to' the distinguished record of the Bersaglieri, in which Signor Del Croix and Signor Rossi, chairman of the Italian National Organisation of Ex-Servicemen, had both served, Signor Rossi receiving for his valour the Medaglio D’or, which Mr Hore-Belisha said was equivalent to the British Victoria Cross. ' The Minister commented on the ■warmth of the reception the British delegation had received at Rome last April, and said he thought that the making and renewing of friendships between the men who had experienced the heroic tragedy of the Great War, on whatever side they had fought, must be of service to the cause of peace and goodwill. ' Further details on page 9.