IN TOP CLASS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27428, 29 June 1950, Page 6

IN TOP CLASS

Young New Zealand Recruits

FIELD-MARSHAL’S PRAISE

Impressions Of Country PA AUCKLAND. June 28. Field-marshal Sir William Slim places New Zealand’s 18-year-old recruits in the top class of the Empire’s young soldiers. Interviewed during his visit to Papakura Military Camp, he said they were among the best of the young men which he had seen during his tour of the Empire. Their physique and intelligence was th« highest.

Asked what he thought of the training programme arranged for the recruits, Field-marshal Slim said th« training schedule was very suitable for present world conditions. He thought the Chief of the General Staff, Majorgeneral K. L. Stewart, and his officers, had arranged matters well. He regarded both the Papakura and Linton camps as very good on English standards. Papakura, particularly, was an excellent training centre. It had spacious training areas and wa* situated in very beautiful surroundings.

Speaking generally about his New Zealand tour, Sir William said he was most impressed with the countryside and the way New Zealanders looked after their country. He added, however, that it could do with a certain amount of town planning. The field-marshal left Rotorua this morning and motored to Hamilton, where he had lunch. He was accompanied by Lieutenant-colonel Gilbert, director of intelligence and plans at army headquarters, Wellington, and Major P. G. Monk, officer in charge of movements and quartering. At Papakura he was met by the officer commanding the Northern Military District* Brigadier J. R. Page, and the camp commandant. Colonel J. T. Burrows. Field-marshal Slim travelled to Auckland, accompanied by a motorcycle, escort. He had dinner at the Grand Hotel, and left at midnight by special plane for Sydney. Announcing his plans before he returned to England, Field-marshal Slim said,'he would travel from Sydney to Singapore and Malaya, and then he would visit Burma. He had also beea invited to visit India and Pakistan and he would break his journey there on his \£ay to Egypt. He expected t* be back in England by July 14.