SIR ANDREW RUSSELL.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXVI, Issue 17572, 16 May 1919, Page 5

SIR ANDREW RUSSELL.

SOLDIERS' TRIBUTE TO THEIR

GENERAL.

INDUCTED INTO R.S.A.

(Per Press Association )

CHRISTCHURCH, May 15

General Russell was entertained by the Mayor at a luncheon at the Oity Council Chambers to-day.

[Responding to the toast of his health. General JRussell spoke of Sir A. J. Godley and the extremely high standard of discipline and duty that he had established, and fche qualities o? justice and care for his soldiers. These had not received the recognition that they undoubtedly deserved. He owed much to Sir A. J. Godley, to whom the great success of the Army Corps on Gallipoli had been largely due, and he would like to feel that those present realised what he-said to be true.

At the conclusion of the luncheon, Mr N. B. McCalluin, President of the Canterbury branch of the Returned Soldiers' Association, asked General Russell's acceptance of a gold badge ol membership in the Association. He said words failed him to express how much the returned soldier.*? appreciated the General's leadership in far away lands. They had the utmost respect for him.

General Russell, who was obviously pleased with the presentation, said that as a returned soldier he was proud to be inducted into the Association in tuch a manner, with such expressions ot goodwill. He hoped what Mr McCallum had said was true, and that he and the returned soldiers had the utmost confidence in one another.

Sir Andrew Bussell has been with the New Zealanders since the Main Body left, ond not even had a furlough in New Zealand.

Interviewed, he expressed himself anxious to return to civil life. On the subject of repatriation, the General declined an opinion. "I have been a farmer all my life, and it is no use my going into another man's paddock to teach him farming," he said.