A DISTINGUISHED VISITOR

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 81, 29 December 1934, Page 10

A DISTINGUISHED VISITOR

General Sir Alexander Godley’s. visit to New Zealand is an interesting event, on account of his association “with the Dominion before the Great'War in organising the system of compulsory military training, and as commander of the New Zealand troops in Egypt. Gallipoli and France throughout-the War. He had an important and difficult task in front of him when, as Colonel Godley, with the local rank of Major-General, he took charge, with a staff of military experts sent out by the British War Office, of our military/raining scheme.

The system adopted by the New Zealand Government on the recommendation of the late Field-Marshal Earl Kitchener involved in its application something in the nature of 4 a social- revolution in a democratic community accustomed in the past to regard military training as a purely voluntary business, followed more or less as a hobby. It says a great deal for General Godley’s tact and ability as an organiser that the scheme was introduced with as little friction a« it aroused, and it must have been a source of great satisfaction tohim to sec the soldierly qualities which the New Zealanders developed in the course of their training, and which added so greatly to the lustre of the country’s manhood throughout the War. He had every reason to be proud of the results. To those who served under him. and especially to his staff, he was a strict martinet, unsparing of his own time and personal energies, and demanding similar sacrifice? from others. But by those capable of judging his methods he was regarded as a sound ahd highly efficient soldier. Less well-informed critics have been somewhat harsh in their judgments, but if it is necessary to challenge these opinions it need only be pointed out that the confidence of the British War Office in his administrative abilities in high command was shown, by his appointment! after the Armistice to the position of Commander-in-Chief of the British Army on the Rhine. It is hoped that he will enjoy the renewal of his associations with the New Zealand people, and the opportunity now afforded him of touring at leisure the country to which in the past he gave such valuable and efficient service.