NEW ZEALAND SOLDIERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17729, 13 September 1919, Page 7

NEW ZEALAND SOLDIERS

PRAISED BY GENERAL MELDRUM. Th? gallant part the New Zealanders took in the war was glowingly referred to at Manga-weka by Brigadier-general Meldrum who recently returned (says the Wanganui correspondent of the Wellington Post). "At the war, East or West," he said at a public gathering, '"there wero no soldiers who fought more consistently or more successfully than tho New * Zsalanders. Tho promise of a scrap brightened all, and in action this spirit was tho most difficult thing for the commanders to deal with The hardest fighting brought out the most sterling qualities and tho highest spirits of the New Zealand boys. At. Galliooli heavier losses wore never faced by any* infantry. At times, especially on the 9th August, 509 were lost in half an hour, the men cheered one another, and helped ono another with never a thought of giving way." He was novcr more 'proud of men than ho was of the Wellington Mounted Raiment on that day. The Nev.- Zealanders ne\er failed to take a position, and never abandoned a position, .unless ordered to retire. Tho reinforcements coming forward from time to time were ahvavs trained Mid were full of the fighting 'spirit, and able to taKe their position immediately in tho line. 110 must express his thanks to Sir J. Allen, as Minister for Defence, for what he had done for tho New Zealand army. The standard of oxceller.co for t.he New Zealand army had been set. and this was a good thing which ought to bo maintained, and. indeed, if necessary beaten. 110 advocated the putting of more men ori the land, for in this way only could New Zealand be strengthened. The men coming from the towns of England, stunted in growth and unused to hardship, did not have the strength and fighting ability necessary to carry them to victory.