GENERAL RICHARDSON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20087, 26 October 1928, Page 13

GENERAL RICHARDSON.

TRIBUTE TO HIS WORK. SUCCESS OF SAMOAN MANDATE. Australian Press Association—United Service LONDON. Oct. 24. The New Zealand Association to-day tendered a luncheon at the Savoy Hotel to General Richardson, formerly Administrator of Western Samoa. The High Commissioner, Sir James Parr, congratulated the association on the large and representative gathering. In proposing the (oast of the guest Sir James said General Richardson, as commander of the New Zealand Forces, was not an unsympathetic martinet, but rather a warm-hearted friend to the lowliest soldiers. General Richardson's administration »f Samoa had been cruelly attacked, but the League of Nations had disproved the slanders and lies that were broadcast over (ho world by a small coterie of " beach agitators." General Richardson had always adhered to the spirit of the mandate in befriending the natives. He had mapped out a progressive educational scheme and had vanquished the dread yaws and hookworm diseases. In his reply, General Richardson said ho considered the occasion to be a tribute to New Zealand's dead soldiers, rather than to himself. The world ought to do its utmost to prevent r. recurrence of the slaughter of young men, whose graves in Fiance saddened and depressed him. In Samoa and elsewhere he had tried to befriend the uuder-dog. New Zealand's administration was so successful that the natives, who were formerly a dying race, were now increasing.