TRIBUTE PAID

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23839, 14 December 1940, Page 11

TRIBUTE PAID

SIR CYRIL NEWALL NEW ZEALANDERS IN LONDON CONFIDENCE IN VICTORY LONDON, Dec. 12 A luncheon in honour of Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Cyril Newall, Governor-Gerieral-designate of New Zealand, was given in London by the New Zealand Club. The New Zealand High Commissioner, Mr. W. J. Jordan, said the Royal Air Force had no long historic tradition, but it was establishing fame for gallantry and service which would figure in song and story throughout the ages. "You, Sir Cyril, were its leader, its head," he added. "You moulded its policy and have been its inspiration. "You told the club in July, 1939. that the Royal Air Force was ready and would o;ive a good account of itself when it was wanted. All the world knows it has given a good account of itself." Sir Cyril, replying, announced amid cheers that Mr. Jordan's son had just become a pilot-officer in the Royal Air Force. He paid tribute to the New Zealand forces in Kuglaud, who were in the finest fettle. He humorously referred to a New Zealander at an anti-aircraft gun, who said he had "been shooting ali night at damn all, hitting it every time." Sir Cyril said he hoped to spend five years in New Zealand, make his home and bring up bis family there. "While there," he added, "I am sure we shall see Britain march to victory, right overcoming might, Christianity overcoming paganism." BRUTAL TREATMENT GREEKS IN DODECANESE "INCREDIBLE HARDSHIPS" LONDON, Dec IS Reference to the incredible hardships suffered by the Greeks in the Dodecanese Islands was made in a statement .issued by the Greek Dodecanese Committee. The Italians arrested all male Greeks and herded them into moats and trenches, where they were made to sleep on the muddy ground. They were given rotten food in the smallest quantities. Gaolers remove the dead and dying daily. The Italians requisitioned all cattle and foodstuffs and compelled many Greeks to subsist on herbs. Those still alive, are more like ghosts than living persons. . . 3 : "We proclaim before God and man that civilisation has known no more diabolical enemy than I' ascist Italj, concludes the statement.