GREETINGS FROM LONDON

Southland Times, Issue 24313, 19 December 1940, Page 4

GREETINGS FROM LONDON

Brigadier Hargest’s Broadcast NEW ZEALAND TROOPS IN GOOD HEALTH A message of Christmas greetings from the New Zealand troops in Great Britain and an account of the activities and experiences of the troops since they reached England were broadcast to New Zealand from London last night by Brigadier James Hargest in the British Broadcasting Corporation’s series of talks “Calling New Zealand.” Listeners in New Zealand would no doubt be anxious for news, he said, and he was happy to be able to allay natural anxiety about the welfare of the troops. They were suffering no serious discomforts, and he often wished that when the New Zealand people were reading of air raids he could inform them that their boys were safe and almost completely removed from risk. Brigadier Hargest said his wife had said everyone was anxious to know about the conditions under which the troops were living. So far the weather had been excf’lent. The food was good, although not available in as great quantities as in New Zealand. Vegetables were plentiful, but fruit was not now as plentiful as it had been in the summer. The cooking had improved marvellously since they arrived. The health of the troops was better than at any time in their lives. Colds were prevalent at the present time, but that was a good old English complaint. There was no general hospital for the New Zealand troops, but in any illnesses they were well cared for under the supervision of Mrs B. C. Freyberg, who was quickly becoming a good New Zealander. ANXIOUS DAYS “Our arrival coincided with the collapse in France and it looked as if the heart of the Empire was to be laid open,” Brigadier Hargest said. It was a time of great anxiety and when they landed they were offered the heartiest welcome and the worst news in British history. The people were stunned for a time, but then their natural stubbornness reasserted itself. The war effort quickly grew; more planes were seen in the air and more troops and tanks were on the move. The now famous Home Guard had been organized and in every village a small force of men stood to arms each night ready to defend the country from attack. It had certainly been an anxious time, but it was also a wonderfully inspiring time because of its striking illustration of Empire unity.

Brigadier Hargest described the efforts of the New Zealand troops to get fit. He said they quickly became proficient in the use of arms which had hitherto been unknown to them. In the initial stages they bivouacked and waited for the invasion which never came. The camp was changed from time to time and they were now in comfortable winter quarters. The troops had been greatly heartened by what they saw of German defeats in the air, and one day they actually saw seven German planes come down within about 20 minutes. I The troops had unbounded admiration I for the skill and gallantry of the Royal Air Force. Now the men had only one great wish, and that was to meet the invader and destroy him. At Christmas time as many of the troops as possible would get four days’ leave. Those with relations would go to visit them and others would take advantage of the lavish hospitality offered. In the last war the New Zealand troops had the open sesame to British homes and hearts, and’ in this war the position was the same. For Christmas treats Colonel F. Waite, representative of the National Patriotic Fund Board, had sanctioned expenditure for some little extras. Eighty-two tons of Christmas parcels had arrived and would be distributed this week. HOMESICK ON CHRISTMAS DAY “It is no use saying we will not be homesick on Christmas Day; we will be,” Brigadier Hargest said. Those who remained in camp would drink a toast to their loved ones in New Zealand and they would like the people at home to think of them as being in the hearts of a friendly people. He referred to the uncomplaining courage of everyone in Britain and to the determination to carry on the battle to the enJ. Now that the tide had turned they were carrying on with their work unostentatiously, and the New Zealanders could thank God that they sprang from this fine stock. I To the people in New Zealand who wished to know what to send the troops in England, he would say that they could not go wrong in sending tobacco for those who smoked and New Zealand butter for all the men. Brigadier Hargest concluded his talk by conveying to the people of New Zealand the hearty Christmas and New Year wishes of all the Nev.’ Zealand troops in England. He expressed the thanks of ‘he men for the many indications of the thoughtfulness and kindness of the loyal band of women in New Zealand who were always thinking of the welfare of the troops.