GENERAL GODLEY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17730, 15 September 1919, Page 2

GENERAL GODLEY

FAREWELL. TO N.Z.E.F. FULL TEXT OF MESSAGE. The full text of Lieutenant-general Sir Alexander Godley's farewell message to tlic New Zealand 1 Expeditionary Force, a brief summary of wliicli appeared in a recent cablegram, is as follov.-s: — " As the dsmobilisation of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, now nearly complete will automatically terminate my command, I take this opportunity to bid "ycu farewell. It. > has been a groat privilege—a privilege I have most fully appreciated—to have no", only raised and brought from New Zealand such a force, but to have had the honour of holding the command of it throughout tho whole period of the war. Mxich' to my regret, the exigencies of the service have, frequently, and at times for long periods, withdrawn formations and units of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force from my command in the field Some, liko tho division and Mounted Brigade, have served under many commanders and in many areas, and all have served under at least one commander other than myself. "In Gallipoli, Egypt, Sinai, Palestine, Fiance, Belgium, and the United Kingdom, you have taken your full share of the burden andl stress of this war, and you have earned, I believo without exception, the hifrhest recard of all those under and with whom you have served. You will leave behind you a reputation "for discipline, fighting qualities, steadiness, resource, initiative, hard work, and gentlemanly conduct, of wliich both you and New Zealand have "every reason to be proud. All those who have in any way contributed to thi3 reputation by -their conduct, whether in' tho front line, the lines of communication, in a base camp, or in whatever capacity the needs of the service havo placed them, will please accept- my most grateful thanks. In particular I desire to place on lecord the great indebtedness due by me and by all tli'so concerned in tlv> welfare of tho New Zealand Expeditionary Force to Major-General Sir Andrew Ru=<W], K.C.8., K.C.M.G., Major-General Sir Edward Chavtor, K C.M.G., C.8.. T 8., A.D.C.. and Brieadier-ceneral G. S. Richardson, C.8., C.M.G., C.8.E., for their loyal co-operation, continuous hard work, and gTeat canacitv for leadership and organisation. To the New Zealand Defence Department, and the Headquarters and Military Districts of the fa Zealand Military Forces in New Z<*aland>, we owe a deep debt of gratitude. The unvarying support and unceasincr help given us by Colonel tho Honourable Sir James Allen. K.C.8., T.D., M P.. n-r.d by Major-general Sir Alfred Robin, K.C.M.G.. C.8., T.D., who have been, respectively, Minister of I>efence and General Officer Commanding tlio New Zealand Military Forces, throughout, the whole period of tho war, have been of the crcatsst possible value to us, andl havo contributed largely to tho success attained by the force. I also desire to express, both on my own and on vour behalf, our hearty thanks to all those officers lent to us by the British army; tho fact that "'we have been able, in'a steadilyincreasing degree, to replace them by New Zealand officers capable of carrying out their duties, is the best possible proof of tho disinterested success and value of their work. Though the New Zealand Expeditionary Force has rot suffered out of proportion to the other forces engaged, tho cost of our victory in tho lofs of valuable lives—the greatest evil incidental to all wars—has been heavy. My sympathy goes out to all those of you who are returning to your homes permanently disabled. I rejoice, however, to know that not only will the usual compensation b© riven in the way of pensions, but that the New Zealand Government proposes to do all in its power by education and other means to enable you to carry on useful work in the tuture, in spito of your disabilities Still more do I sympathise with the relatives of those who wall never return. May thev bo comforted by the thought of the greatness of the cause for which they died—namely tho very existence, cf the British Empire and of £>ew Zealand as a free country within that Empire. May they also be comforted by the knowledge of the fact that it was tho thought of tho supremo sacrifice mode bv heir comrades and relatives, and tho belief that the acceptance of anything short of complete victory would bo treason to their memory, that did more than anything else to <*eel the hearts of both our soldiers and civilians to tho long-pustaincd effort «ml patient endurance that eventually won through. "In tho record of your service in th ; s war A™, tl' 0 r' V ? n « ih ?. New . Zealand Citizen Arm> the best of all possible foundations— the traditions of sacrifice and success. 1 trust no effort will be spared to utilise to the utmost extent this dearly boudit tradition, and that the name of every soldier who has iought in this -war will in eomo way bo associa.ed «'ith a specific New ZoaJand Territorial unit, and that his services will bo recorded in that units regimental history. I hope that many of you will continue to take an active part ,n tho work of the New Zealand Military i orce. lour experience of actual wararo has taught you tho true meaning and supremo value of discipline; your cooperation, therefore, will bo invaluable. . is Maimed by some that war service justifies a. subsequent life of ease and the making of many demands on "°o rest of tho communitv. That no ex-member of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force will bo found to re-echo so unworthy a sentiment I fesl confident I trust, rather, that tho spirit of service and self-eicrinco so conspicuously shown throughout the war will bo carried on into civil life, and that all will endeavour to do tli«ir full share in making good tho leeway and in baring the burdens caused bv the war "My four years as General Officer Commanding the Forces m New Zealand, and st'll ?Z°? y nr T]y r fIVC as General Officer Commanding the New Zealand Expoditionary Force, ha 3 specially impressed mc with tlie natural cnjxu-.itv of tho .ow ;Now Zealand, I am convinced, is able and la destined to,play » part, m tho world out of all proportion to and population That each a destiny may bo hers, and that you may all return in safety to your homes and may live long in happi.pr?fpc,n.ty in y°}>r greatly favoured country, 7s the sincere wish of " (Signed) ALEX. J. GODLET, _ ~ " Lieut.-general, ' Commanding New Zealand Expeditionary " Forcc."