SIR LAN HAMILTON'S DEPARTURES.

Colonist, Volume LVI, Issue 13487, 5 June 1914, Page 4

SIR LAN HAMILTON'S DEPARTURES.

HIS PARTING WORDS

[United Pbess Association.]

Wellington, June 4.

General Sir lan Hamilton, InspectorGeneral of the Overseas Forces,' leavva by the s.s. Ruahino this evening for London, accompanied by his staff officers. He was asked by a "reporter whether he' bad any farewell message to give to the New Zealand people, and the New Zealand army. Sir lan Hamilton said:—

"I think New Zealand is an earthly Paradise, and all the people have to do is to take the necessary measures to exclude the serpents. They will know best what I mean by that, and there is really little more to be said. I hare' dono over tbreo thousand miles in Neivi Zealand itself, and much of th© wonderful kindness I have received I have' been able to trace back to by comrades of the South African war. It is they, who have, taken the lead in strewing; mv arduous path with the roses of welcome. To .them especially I would now wish to pay my small tribute of grateful recognition. As to the Now Zealand army (concluded the General), they will probably see my report in duo course, and. I hope they will realise when they do that I tried-to.-.live- up to their repeated exhortation to me to speak the truth and shame the- devil; only I tried to do it nicely.''

Sir lan Hamilton banded in his report upon the- New Zealand defence forces to the Hon. James Allen (Minister of Defence) to-day. Its consents will probably not bo made known for some days, and the public meanwhile will have to rest content with Sir lan'si assurance that be lias been candid m his criticism and advice.