SIR IAN HAMILTON

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8735, 18 May 1914, Page 4

SIR IAN HAMILTON

WELCOME TO HASTINGS CADETS PARADE IN THE RAIN. Pres Association. HASTINGS, May 16. General Sir lan Hamilton received a very hearty public welcome on arrival hero this afternoon. A large crowd of citizens assembled outside the council chambers, where the Mayor (Mr W. Hart) presented him with an illuminated a'ddress expressive of admiration of his valuable services to the Empire in actual warfare* in administration, and in literature. The address concluded: —‘That your visit will bo beneficial and instructive wo have no fear. There may be minor differences of opinion on the far-reaching question of defence; nevertheless we hope you will appreciate and believe that we in Maoriland have the spirit of our fathers, and, though far removed from our base, will live for and fight for this Antipodean outpost and for the upholding of our beet historical traditions.” General Hamilton in reply said he looked forward to seeing the Hawke’s Bay cadets. There was a marked difference in. the purpose of the scheme of training in New Zealand from that of foreign countries. In Japan, ho * said, cadets wore trained in show to teach them the conditions of war in an attack on Moscow; but in New Zealand the cadets were to bo trained to defend their own country. (Cheers.)

Unfortunately tho review of the cadets was spoiled by heavy rain. Cadets were present from Daunevirke, Takapau, Waipukurau, AVaipawa, Hastings, Napier, AVairoa and Gisborne, the total rank and file on parade being 1300. Sir lan Hamilton also in•speotcd some fifty veterans and South African contingenters. Subsequently addressing the officers in charge of the cadets, the Inspector-General said ho was glad that the rulers of this Dominion were recognising that the country’s greatest asset was the coming manhood of the -people, and that one of the most important questions of the day was the training of the rising generation. The General is the guest of Colonel A. H. Russell. He leaves Hastings for Palmerston North by tho express on Monday morning.