N.Z.’S NEW ARMY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 17920, 26 October 1932, Page 6

N.Z.’S NEW ARMY

MODELLED ON THE OLD OLD BRIGADE’S ASSISTANCE OPTIMISM OF GALLIPOLI The modelling of New Zealand’s new army received reference at the annual reunion of the 'Gisborne R.S.A. last night, in an address given by Major-General \V. L. H. Sinclair Du A gess,, C.B., C.M.G., D. 5.0., G.O.C. New Zealand military forces. His speech was preceded by the toast to the Army and Navy, which was proposed by Mr G. Bradley Smith, who said the history and traditions of the British Army and Navy were the history traditions of the British Empire and when he had said that lie had via id the highest compliment to the two forces mentioned. He often thought the diffidence of British people of speaking of the deeds of .the Empire was wrong, and it would do no harm to give the old Empire a little kick along. Major-General Sinclair Burgess, in reply, said that the proposer should have included the Air Force. They had come to the time when there was one force, on the land, in the air, and on the water; they were inseparable. He said lie bad seen many ox-scrvico-mon reunions during the past year, and it was remarkable that they were still able to obtain such gatherings 14 years after firing had ceased. In them they lived again the days of the war.

None of the fighting forces spoke about themselves. But. lie would speak of the help rendered to the territorial force by the R.S.A. In remodelling the new army of Now Zealand, he had had untiring assistance from the boys of the old brigade. The territorial force was New Zealand’s new army, and when he saw the 'arnest effort of the young brigade, he believed it would do the others good to see it, too. That new army was down on the roots of the expeditionary force. When he inspected the territorials, he knew from whom its enthusiasm came—it was a chip of the old block. In conclusion, he said the Army, Navy and Air Force, were all feeling -he difficulties of the present time, blit their spirit was retained. “Keep the optimism of Gallipoli which helped us In the impossible,” he said, “and keep the pushing power of the Western Front, and we will win through our present troubles.”