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Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 20127, 21 April 1928, Page 7

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SIR GEORGE RICHARDSON WELLINGTON DIGGERS GATHER [ Per t*ress Association, j WELLINGTON, April 20. A large gathering of returned soldiers, with pleasant recollections of Sir George Richardson’s solicitude for the Diggers when in charge of the New Zealand military headquarters in London, assembled at the R.S.A. Clubroom yesterday to welcome him back from Samoa. The president (Colonel Hall) referred to General Richardson’s high ideals as shown by his organisation of the educational scheme for the benefit of New Zealand soldiers in hospital in England and awaiting repatriation. No doubt the same ideals had actuated him in his work in Samoa, where he had endeavoured to improve the condition of the natives. They felt that Samoa had been honoured by having a man of his experience and uprightness to control affairs of the mandated territory and develop the mental outlook of the natives and the natural resources of their country.

Sir George Richardson, in the course of his reply, spoke of the difficulties peculiar to Samoa and referred to the improvements effected by tho Administration in the development of the islands and in health matters. Samoa had progressed considerably under the mandate and the Mandatory Commission had eulogised the work done. Personally he was satisfied that he had done his work thoroughly and he had no hesitation in saying that the policy of the New Zealand Administration was sound.