GENERAL SIR HAMILTON.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14975, 23 May 1914, Page 12

GENERAL SIR HAMILTON.

CIVIC WELCO3IE AT WELLINGTON.

(PRESS ASSOCIATION TEI-EGRAXI.) WELLINGTON", May.22. General Sir lan Hamilton was tendered a civic welcome at the Town Hall this afternoon, about one thousand people attending, despite .the very cold weather The Mayor (M r ,f. P. Luke) formally welcomed-■ the distinguished visitor in a brief speech.

Tho Hon. James Allen, Minister of Defence, then spoke. He said he was sirro Sir lans visit would he of tremendous benefit to the country. (Applause). He himself had spent a great deal ol' time with c>ir lan during the last three or four weeks, arid he had no hesitation in saying that he had learnt a great deal. In tho report which their visitor would make upon what he had seen here, lie hoped that nothing would be glossed over; they wanted to know quito frankly what Sir Jan thought, and if they were making mistakes Sir lan must point them out. (Applause). This was absolutely necessary, ior they wanted to develop the scheme whica they had undertaken fully and on the proper lines. (Applause).

After the city organist had played a selection, tiie Mayor called upon Sir lan Hamilton-to reply. Toe - General was most enthusiastically received, there being loud clieors and applause. Sir.lan Hamilton tiiankeu the .Mayor and citizens most sincerely for tticir "\veloome. Ho said the speeches that had been made and tho way the people had received him* had given him a warmth which he wanted after his •work of tho morning. The Mayor liad said that he would have been successful in any other profession. This he doubted, but if he had chosen any other calling after what he had passed through, he. would certainly choose that of a hatter in Wellington. (Laughter). But he had- thought while he was chasing his hat during the morning f&ughter) that a fierce and fickle climate makes a sturdy and kindly people. Hβ would just like to express his joy and gratitude to the Mayor for having referred to his old chiefs, Lord Roberts and Sir George White. "I constantly see Lord Roberts at Home," said Sit lan. "Ho j§ just 82, but during tho manoeuvres last September he rode for six and a naif hours in tho saddle, and appeared none the worso for it, and he is still going strong. (Loud applause.) As for Sir George White, Sir lan said ho Jiad always looked upon him a» the gallant, strong, chivalrous character that he was. (Applause.) As to the Imperial officers, he was grateful for the words of encouragement that had Deen said. Hβ believed that they were doing their very best, and the work they were doing was good also, for them- j selves. ««lii the military colleges at j Home people sometimes got very narrow views of their duties; they got separated from the human element.. The officers came here and found that they had to come down aa»l teach the twostep. That he believed was good ior them. All ho hoped was that they would give a complete" quid pro quo for whatever New Zealand gave them. On tho other hand, they -in Great Britain were most anxious , to give .New Zealand officers a show at Heme. They had given General Davies the command of a brigade of infantry at Aldershot — one of tho plums of the \ Service—and ho had carried out his work well. Never for a second had he heard a British officer begrudge the New Zealander the post. (Applause.) Sir lan Baid he cpuld, not say much-about the work of the Territorials now; Chr.t must wait, for his report t? ih<? Minister. But he was going to break the custom aud mention ihe name of ono company. Of all the inspiring eights he had been in these splendid Cadet parades' was the company of Junior Cadets of the New Plymoat V High School. Those boys were under fourfceea, but in tho presence of the Minister and the officers they had not let an eyelash quiver as they were being inspected. He had marvelled at the graven little images, and had thought how splendid it was to think that such trainrrg would be handed down by the boys to their children, for he was sure they would never forget what they had learnt. The gathering concluded with cheers for the General. ■ •