LEADER ARRIVES

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20996, 26 December 1939, Page 6

LEADER ARRIVES

NEW ZEALAND FORCE GENERAL FREYBERG’S VISIT FULL ITINERARY PLANNED (By Telegraph.—Press Association) WELLINGTON, Monday “After 18 years, it is a very wonderful thing to be back,” said MajorGeneral B. C. Freyberg, V.C., general officer commanding the New Zealand Special Force, in an interview after his arrival from Australia to-day. He was very happy to have been appointed to command the New Zealand. troops, he said, and to be associated with people he knew. General Freyberg said he could not disclose what his movements would be, but a very full itinerary had been planned. His stay in New Zealand would be short and every moment of his time would be occupied. He would be paying visits to camps and would see all the troops.

After his arrival to-day General Freyberg went to church, and in the afternoon conferred with his staff. They had got straight down to work, he said, and had been met everywhere with great kindness. He was greatly indebted to the Chief of the General Staff, Major-General J. E. Duigan for the help he had given him. Speaking of the attitude of the people in England to the war, General Freyberg said everywhere there was the greatest determination to see the struggle through.

WISE APPOINTMENT MR FRASER’S TRIBUTE UNANIMOUS CHOICE (By Telegraph.—Press Association) WELLINGTON, Monday “New Zealand is to be congratulated on having obtained the services of Major-General B. C. Freyberg, V.C., to command the Special Force,” said the Minister of Education and Health, the Hon. P. Fraser, to-day. “With Major-General Duigan in charge in New Zealand, the combination will be an excellent one. “I would like it to be understood that before the appointment was made the highest authorities were consulted as to General Freyberg’s suitability for the command. There was a unanimous expression of opinion that there could be no better choice. In addition to being a world-famous soldier (his personal achievements were quoted by the late J. M. Barrie as an outstanding example in his famous St. Andrew’s address on “Courage”), he is held in high esteem as a commanding officer, and in any case would have been selected shortly for the command of a division in the field. “The fact that he is a New Zealander, and proud of the fact, and understands New Zealand and New Zealand people is very important. Add to these qualifications and to his wide experience the fact that he has a very high reputation for great consideration and concern for the wellbeing of men under him, and that he is a thoroughly friendly and courteous gentleman to everyone with whom he comes in contact, and you have that fine combination of qualities that makes a commanding officer in whom all can have confidence.”

EFFORT APPRECIATED

NEW ZEALAND AND WAR MESSAGE FROM THE KING (By Telegraph.—rress Association) WELLINGTON, Monday New Zealand’s war effort was highly appreciated by everyone he met in Great Britain, particularly responsible authorities, said the Minister of Education and Health, the Hon. P. Fraser, on his return to Wellington to-day. The formation of the Maori Battalion had a special appeal owing to its significance as being the contribution of a brave, gallant and loyal race. The formation of the New Zealand anti-tank corps in Britain also appealed to the imagination of the British public. New Zealand’s action immediately on the outbreak of war of placing the ships of its Naval Division under the Admiralty for operational control was fully appreciated. The gallant and effective part played by the Achilles in the fight with the Admiral Graf Spee had been recognised throughout the world and was a tribute to the fine calibre of both officers and men. The splendid qualities of young New Zealanders in the Royal Air Force had been proved again and again since the war commenced. They had never failed. The British authorities had publicly expressed their appreciation of the action of the New Zealand Government in handing over the Dominion’s Wellington bombers to the Mother Country on the outbreak of war.

His Majesty the King had expressed his very warm appreciation of New Zealand’s effort, said the Minister. He mentioned to Mr Fraser during an interview his gratification at the fine achievement of the Maori people in raising their own battalion, an action in keeping with the history and traditions of their noble race, and he asked Mr Fraser to convey to the people of the Dominion his pleasure at their fine contribution.