BACK FROM LIBYA

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24541, 25 March 1943, Page 3

BACK FROM LIBYA

AUSTRALIANS' REGRETS COMRADES PRAISED NEW ZEAMND TROOPS (Special Australian Correspondent) SYDNEY, March 24 "We did not like leaving the job overseas before it was finished," said a member of the Ninth Australian Division which has returned from service in the Middle East. "We would rather have come back after the war. One aspect we all feel particularly keenly is that the New Zealanders are still in action over there. The Kiwis have done a magnificent job right through." This statement typifies the general attitude of the returned men. Some insisted that the Ninth Division's part in the break through at El Ahunein had been "a bit over-publicised" and that other divisions such as the New Zealand, the South African and the Highland had not received a just share of the credit. With the New Zealanders, as the most experienced troops in the Middle East theatre, they ranked the Indian Division, which has fought in almost every campaign thore. "This is a vastly different sort of war from that in which the first A.I.F. fought, and this is a vastly different home-coming," s;iys the Sydney Morning Herald in an editorial article today. "It is not so much a home coming as a transfer to an active and vital theatre of operations in Australian waters and on Australian soil. "The men of the Ninth Division, having reorientated themselves here, will soon come to understand., if they have not understood already, why it ia possible for the New Zealand Division to remain with the Eighth Army when the Australians had to return. New Zealand is by circumstances not committed to extensive land operations in this -region as is tiio case with Australia.'' The Herald adds that the Ninth Division will not be lightly missed from the magnificent Eighth Army and says the Australians left the Middle East with feelings predominantly of regret. While no explanation, however sound, could console them for having been "pulled out" of the battle just_ when they had helped to win a signal victory, nevertheless thero were compelling reasons for their transfer to the Pacific theatre of war. The Sydney Daily Telegraph pays editorially: "Mr. Churchill's blunt announcement that no substantial help would bo sent to the South-west Pacific until after Hitler had been defeated explains why the Ninth Division has come home." GENERAL'S COMPLAINT TOO MUCH COMPLACENCY SYDNEY, March 24 "From my personal knowledge of the battle-skilled warriors of the A.I.F. and those of the A.M.F, who have seen fighting in New Guinea," said the Commander-in-Chief of the Australian Army, General Sir Thomas Blarney, "I am assured that they will defeat any force of equal numbers that can be brought against them, and will givo odds, too. "But I speak for the Army when I say that if we are to win the united .nation must stand behind us and give us its full support. The Army is both disappointed and disgusted that, while each of us is prepared to give everything, even life itself, for our country's safety, we find far too many of our people who fail to realise the serious position which confronts this nation. "The enenty is powerful and determined, The setbacks we have given him have disturbed his complacent belief in his invincibility. Ho is preparing to fight to the finish. The complete subordination of each individual member of the community to the needs of the nation is the price of safety.' TOUR OF BATTLE FRONTS AMERICAN DELEGATION Washington, March 23 The United States Government is sending a delegation of leading labour officials, industrialists, mayors and governors to tour battle fronts m Britain, North Africa and Australia. Senator Truman, chairman of the Senate War Production Committee, is seeking President Roosevelt's approval for himself and two other members of the Senate Investigating Committee to accompany the party. The objective of the tour is to make war workers more conscious of the importance of their part in the success or failure of the fighting forces. RAILWAY PRESIDENT SIR E. BEATTY'S DEATH CRecd. 0.50 p.m.) MONTREAL, March 24 The death has occurred of Sir Edward Beatty, a former president of the Canadian Pacific Railway. Sir Edward Wentworth Beatty was born in Ontario in 1877. He is said to have paid less attention to study than to sport. He was called to the Ontario Bar in June, 1901, and a month later became the youngest member of the legal staff of Canadian Pacific Rail-

ways. Soon ho was the company's encyclopaedia, so that when anyone asked the president a difficult question the reply was: " Ask Beatty. He knows." A Government commission was appointed in 1917 to look into the company's affairs. The did not at first take Sir Edward seriously, for he was small and boyish-looking. But he beat them at every point, took the offensive and overwhelmed the commission with facts. Sir Edward succeeded Lord Shaughnessy as president of the line_ in 1918, having under his control IS.uOO miles of railway, 115,000 miles of telegraphs, and over 400,000 tons of shipping. He proved himself a great - manager and much increased tho earning capacity of the.line. Ho held that "it is not the length of your life, but the intensity that counts. The wise man crowds all ho can into every minute." He retired in .May, 19-12.