ONLY SHORT STAY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20129, 26 December 1939, Page 4

ONLY SHORT STAY

GENERAL FREYBERG ARRIVAL IN DOMINION STRAIGHT DOWN TO WORK CONFERENCE WITH STAFF (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. “After 18 years it is a very wonderful thing to be back,” said MajorGeneral B. C. Freyberg, V.C.. General Officer Commanding the New Zealand Special Force, in an interview after his arrival from Australia yesterday. He was very happy to have been appointed to command the New Zealand troops, he said, and to be associated with people he knew.

General Freyberg said he could not disclose what his movements would be, but a very full itinerary had been planned. His s.tay in New Zealand would be short, and every moment of his time,would be occupied. He would be paying visits to camps and would see all the troops.

After his arrival yesterday General Freyberg went to church, and in the afternoon conferred with his staff. They had got straight down to work, he said. He had been met everywhere with great kindness, and was greatly indebted to the Chief of the General Staff, Major-General J. E. Duigan, for the help he had given him.

Speaking of the attitude of the people in England to the war. General Freyberg said that everywhere there was the greatest determination to see the struggle through.