GENERAL RUSSELL.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VI, Issue 1642, 20 May 1919, Page 8

GENERAL RUSSELL.

RETURNS TO HIS HOME. AN ENTHUSIASTIC WELCOME. Press Association. •HASTINGS, May 19. General Sir Andrew Russell was given a great reception at Hastings to-day. Owing to heavy rain during the morning, the military parade and other features in the open-air programme were cancelled, but at the moment of arrival of the special . train . the clouds lifted, and in bright sunshine the general'was given an enthusiastic welcome by town and country people. A civic reception was held at the Municipal • Theatre, where addresses were given by the Mayor, the president of the Returned Soldiers' Association, and representatives of the New Zealand veterans, the Maori race, and the old Hawke's Bay Mounted Rifles. In reply General Russell said: '' When I think of the receptions I have received at Ghristchurch, Wellington, and at places along the line, and now here at Hastings, I realise that the welcomo is no.t to myself alone, but to all who had gone to the war, those who had returned, and, in spirit, to those who had not come back.'' In paying a tribute to his old command,' the Hawke's Bay Mounted Eifles, he said he owed his present position to them and the Territorials, in which branch of the service he had gained much of his training. He. spoke highly of the services rendered by the Maori battalion ou Gallipoli and in France. Speaking of the English, he said it had been stated that Great < Britain was decadent. His experience was that the British people had shown themselves great and steadfast in accepting with common sense the great burdens and restrictions placed upon them, which proved that the heart of England was as sound as ever. Speaking of New Zealand defence, he said he did not think they could abandon military training, but he was sure that if they brought up good citizens to 20 years of age, after that there would be no need for weekly or fortnightly drills. He would do what he could to help the returned soldiers. Referring to the possibility of his entry into polities, he said very few men who had succeeded in the field had succeeded in the House, so they had better be careful. General Eussell concluded: By working together instead of looking for differences and quarrelling over them, we can make this country as good as aivy country in the world. It is no good calling on God to help us in the war if, when the war is over, we are going to put the Almighty by and His teachings on the shelf. God has helped us to win the war, and now we have won we must not banish Him from our lives. RECEPTION AT DANNEVIRKE. Press Association. DANNEVIRKE, May 19. General Eussell received a civic welcome when passing through Daimevirke to-day. The Mayor, Mr E. A. Ransom, delivered a speech of welcome, which was fittingly replied to by General Russell, cheers being given for General and Lady Eussell. There was a big attendance, including many returned soldiers.