CIVIC RECEPTION TO SOLDIERS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 269, 9 August 1919, Page 7

CIVIC RECEPTION TO SOLDIERS

INTEREST IN THE PEOPLE 1)1' ASIA. Br Telegraph—Vresß Association. Christchurcb, August S. ■.h civic rece.ption.ivas tendered to-day to -Brigadier-General A. W. Androw, a native of Christ-church., as tho chief guest of honour, Iho other guest being Lieutenant Frickleton, V.C., Private W.L. ISeuuctt, ono of the youngest soldiers in New Zealand, who wears the 1911-15 ribbon and. three foreign decorations, »nd Mrs. Nicholas, mother of Sergeant H.-'J. Nicholas, V.C., of St. Albans, who did not live to return to his native city. In Iho course: of his response, General 'Andrew said: "I thankyou, Mr. Mayor, for drawing the attention of those present to India and Mesopotamia. I often wish that the people of this Dominion would take more interest in Asiatic affairs and peoples. All that the Jap, or Hindu, Chinaman, or Mussulman asks of us is tliiifc wo should know him. How many of us are honestly trying to do so? Wo hear too much of the so-ealled barbarism of tlio people of Asia and too little of the widely dillused happiness and contentment, tho universal respect for law and order, and tho all-pervading spiritual life of the people of that contumet." In a speech Lieutenant "Frickleton said that civilians ivero doing their best to help the .returned soldiers back into civil life and while cases would bo met with in which the soldiers thought they wera not being fairly Ireatcd. ho thought it was as much their own fault as.anybody > else's; for if thoy brought their case before the propor authorities thoy would receivo sjmpaWietio consideration.