LORD ALLENBY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 2997, 11 February 1926, Page 3

LORD ALLENBY.

A PALMERSTON WELCOME,

A large crowd assembled to welcome Field-Marshall Lord Allenby at Palmerston railway station as he was passing through to Napier on Tuesday.

In welcoming the visitor to Palmerston North, the deputy Mayor (Mr. A. J. Graham) said that the people of the town felt honoured by the brief visit of one of the world’s greatest soldiers. They were proud when they looked back upon the great part he had played in the late war, which resulted in the surrender of Palestine. They were also proud to think that New Zealanders had been engaged in the great event. He hoped that Lord and Lady Allenby would carry with them the happiest recollections of the Dominion. In replying, the Field-Marshal said that he and Lady Allenby had had the time of their lives. They had just returned from the South Island, where they had been royally entertained, and where he had met many old comrades. He was pleased to help in renewing the bond of sympathy that kept the Empire together. A voicjp in the crowd: We’ll follow you through the valley of the Jordan again! Continuing, the visitor said- he was glad to know his old horsemen would follow him again. If they would go through the Jordan they would go through hell. (Cheers). It was a revelation to come 13,000 miles and find in New Zealand such a wonderful outpost of Empire. It was hard to realise that in little more than 100 years brains, energy ond skill had built up such a marvellous, enterprising, loyal and prosperous people. In reply to a question as to what. race he sprang from, Lord- Allenby replied that that did .not matter, as he was first and foremost a subject of the Empire. “It does not matter what you l are,” he added, “as long as you are a part of the Empire. You may call yourselves New Zealanders first, -and Britishers next, or vice versa, but we are all members of a great Empire. We have always been bound together as one, and as long as we continue to remain firm to our heritage, we will be the envy of the world, and protected by our strength.” As the train moved out from the station the platform rang with [the cheers given in honour of the distinguished visitor. During the brief ceremony a short address of welcome was also made on behalf of the returned soldiers, who expressed their great pleasure in being able to meet a leader whom many of them had the honour to serve under during the Great War.