APPRECIATION

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2265, 26 September 1914, Page 8

APPRECIATION

GENERAL GODLEY AND THE faioiisrs. • General Sir Alexander Godley lias addressed the'following letter, dated September 21, to the Dominion secretary of. tho,New Zealand FarnieiV Union: — "Deat; 'Sir,—l desire to express to the members of the Farmers' Union my great appreciation of the valuable assistance rendered to. the. Defence Department by them in .connection with the preparation and equipment of tlio Expeditionary Force. As a result of their loyal and . patriotic . action, • the work of obtaining the necessary horses was' greatly facilitated, a large quantity of forage was presented, and generally, the mobilisation of the' Forco was aided in every way possible. Will ■you kindly convey to all tho branches of your union my very grateful thanks for" all the assistance they have rendered to myself and to the officers of my Department.—(Signed) Alex. Godley, Major-General, Commanding N.Z. Forces." . . In tho course of. his reply to tho above, Mr. E. C. Jack, secretary •of the union, said: — "Though we one aiid all regret the circumstances, have plunged our Empire into war, wo know that it is a fight for tho honour of our Empiro, and in defence of, tho weak against tho strong. We are, therefore, proud of the. opportunity to show our loyalty and patriotism.. Permit me to say that tho ready response to our official appeal for help from tho farmers, while primarily duo to their loyalty to tlio Empire, th®' Dominion, and our union, has been more, readily given because of tho high estimation the farmers have of your personal tact and administrative qualities which you havo shown in tho organisation of our Territorial army. ' Oil behalf of tho farmers •of New Zealand, I take this opportunity of bidding you God-speed in'the important, mission on which you are now entering, and to express our great confidence that the honour of New Zealand is placed in worthy hands. Wishing you and the Force a pleasant voyage, and a safe return to New Zealand at the close of tho war." Major-General Sir A. J. Godley has forwarded the following letter to .Mr. A. Leigh Hunt:—"Dear Sir, —I desire to express to you and .those associated with, you my great appreciation of tho patriotic action of your agency in connection with tho handling of tho forage for tho Expeditionary Force. This 'greatly facilitated tho work of the Department. and I would ask you and your staff to accept my hearty thanks for tlio very valuable assistance which Was rendered to us."