COMPLETION OF TRAINING TERM

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20102, 23 November 1939, Page 6

COMPLETION OF TRAINING TERM

ORGANISATION OF TRANSPORT SHIPS

PROVISION OF NAVAL. ESCORT

(Per Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, this day

“ .Following upon advice now received, the Government is able to .announce its decision 1o despatch the first echelon overseas when the men have completed their New Zealand training- and when suitable shipping- facilities and naval escort arranigcim-nls have been made,” said the Prime Minister. Ihe Right lion. M. ,). Savage, in a slaleiuenl to-day.

“On completion of the ei the men of tlie* second echelon tiioii' ol'lieei'S ;ind n.c.o’s l\ number of enrolments for the and further enlistments are I received. “The fact that Major-Gem C.M.G., D. 5.0., L.L.D. was av; enabled the Cloveiaiment to ret in command in New Zealand organisin'’- and training for wl ability.

nbarkation of the first echelon, will then lie called upon to .join )V iraiinn<>-. Already a large second echelon have been made icing and will continue to be

■ral It. C. Freyberg. V.C., C. 8., lilable for service, overseas has ain Major-Cfeneral -I. hi. Dugan to continue the work of tich he has shown such marked

At the Government’s special request | Major-General Duigan is to remain in ; New Zealand to devote his full atteni tion to the vitally important work of raising and training men. The troops proceeding overseas will embark after i the satisfactory completion of training as and when transport is available.

Mr. Savage also stressed particularly that the force would not sail without an adequate naval escort. At i some period before they are sent abroad the men would be given leave : to visit their homes. | "All factors involved have been given the tidiest consideration." said Mr. Savage, "and the steps now being ; taken have been subject to consultai tion.s with the United Kingdom ! Government.

Suggestions Accepted

"The public will recall that immediately the Government had been advised that war had broken out with Germany, it offered Britain the fullest assurance of all possible support and, at the same time, offered to give the fullest consideration to any suggestion of the British Government as to the method by which New Zealand could best assist the common cause. "In due course and in accordance with our request, the British Government made a number of suggestions regarding New Zealand’s co-operation and these were carefully examined by the Defence Council and the Cabinet. The suggestions made by the Old Country were accepted and the undertakings are being carried out. "On September 9, six days after the outbreak of war, the Government announced its decision to raise a Special Military Force of volunteers for service within or beyond New Zealand. The response to this appeal was most gratifying and provided conclusive evidence of the patriotic zeal of the Dominion’s manhood,” continued Mr. Savage. “On the day reenuting opened the actual number of men called for was exceeded. In making an offer to raise and train a force for service in the general task of defending the British commonwealth, it was stated that this force would be dis-

I patched overseas when required, and | when it was considered practicable to send it.”

Intensive Training- “ The first echelon of the Special Force has been undergoing intensive I training since October (j. A further »step towards providing the force ol- : fcrecl was taken on November 8 when the officers selected for service with the second echelon were assembled and commenced training The next | step will be the concentration of non- | conditioned officers for service with this echelon. "I would like to take this opportunity," continued Mr. Savage, "of staling that the Government is warmly appreciative of Major-General Diligan’s services. In recent months his advice and untiring efforts lave been of the utmost value, and it has been his duty to plan and organise the mobilisation and training of the New Zealand forces —a task loi which his personal qualities ana wide experience have specially litled him. His training in military engineering in particular has enabled him to undertake most successfully the mechanisation of the army the development of which is so vital a feature of modern warfare. “Because of its confidence in the General and because of his intimate knowledge of our defence problem and our men the Government extended his service for a further year after the expiration of his term in March last, and he now has been asked to continue his work here. The people of ilie Dominion owe a great deal to the untiring efforts he and his stall have made and are making to render this country safe and to build up a lighting force worthy of the best traditions of the Dominion.

New Zealand Hero “The appointment of Major-General Froyberg needs little comment from me. lie received his education here ; in Wellington, and his first military j service was with the sixth Ilauraki ! Regiment, Auckland. Major-General i Freyberg*.; name is known throughi out the Dominion as that of a New Zealand hero of the last war. He was awarded the D.S.O. at the landing on Gallipoli for swimming ashore at Bulair, lowing a raft with flares. For ; further feats of gallantry he was later awarded a first and a second bar to 1 his D. 5.0." "After winning the Victoria Cross in 191 G, he was at the age of 27 promoted to brigadier-general for his services in the field—the youngest ! brigadier in the British Army. After the war he served as company com- ; mander of the Grenadier Guards and also -as a general staff officer of the Eastern Command. From 1931 to 19311 _ j lie held the rank of assistant quarter- , master-general of the Southern 'Cornr mand and, until 1937, he was a genera f staff officer (first grade) at the Wai ! Office. “On the outbreak of war in Scptenv

her last, lie was appointed general officer commanding the Salisbury j Plain area. “Major - General Froyberg lias I earned the well-merited reputation as j a very fine soldier and as an able j administrator, and his acquaintance with the modern methods and equip-! meat of the British Army must be of | great value in the task that lies ahead. | His appointment will, I feci sure, j meet with the full approval of soldiers! and civilians alike,"