CONFIDENCE IN NEW ZEALAND ARMY

Manawatu Times, Volume 65, Issue 1, 2 January 1940, Page 8

CONFIDENCE IN NEW ZEALAND ARMY

Tribute to Britain By General Freyberg Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, Dec. 30. Not since royalty was last received in Christchurch has the city been more wholehearted in its welcome to a visitor than to-day, when Major-General Freyberg, who is commanding the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force, arrived for a stay of one day. From cheering artillerymen at the Heads as the Rangatira steamed up the harbour, the welcome on the wharf at Lyttelton, the civic reception in Cathedral Square and the enthusiasm of the troops at Burnham, it was a triumphal progress, emphasising the universal approval of the choice of the great soldier who is to lead the New Zealand troops overseas. When Major-General Freyhorg stepped on to a balcony with the mayor, Mr R. M. Macfarlane, there was a burst of cheering, but it was nothing to the fullthroated roar of more than 3000 throats when the speeches were over. As he came out to his car the crowd surged forward, and he passed through a narrow lane to his car, driving off to another burst of cheering. “I can assure you of this one thing: no peace is possible while Germany remains a menace to the little nations of the world.” These words from MajorGeneral Freyberg were greeted by resounding applause and cheering. When it had died away the general’s next words were: “In the task we have undertaken we need wisdom and great sommon sense. You have been told that we are not fighting the German nation but that we are trying to overthrow Nazism. In answer to that I would say that those of us who know the Germans have the greatest feeling of distrust in having anything to do with them. While that is so, there is one thing certain, and that is that never has a nation tried harder to avoid war than Britain.” (Applause.) Wedge Between Allies. Major-General Freyberg said that the degree of opposition the Allies could expect to face as the war progresses was clearly shown by the fact that Poland had been able to hold out against the Germans for only a short time. That was the position New Zealand had to face, but confidence could be based on the fact that the Empire had entered this war in a much better position than in the last. The Allied armies were now firmly entrenched In France and ready to meet any attackGerman propaganda agents were active in trying to drive a wedge between the people of Britain and France. Every evening they made radio broadcasts to French peasants telling them that they had one man in eight in the army, while Britain had only one in 40. This was a particularly subtle form of propaganda. At the same time it was untrue and it had not taken effect, for the two countries were more solidly welded together now than ever. The part being played by the people of Britain v as also praised by MajorGeenral Freyberg. Without any show of heroics and without any talk, they had gone calmly and confidently about the business of converting their country to “war basis.” This had been achieved in a fashion that had impressed everyone. London’s Fortifications. “London at present is probably the most highly-fortified city in the world,” continued Major - General Freyberg. “Everywhere one looks one sees defences prepared against assault, while balloons overhead make low-flying attacks impossible. In the industrial areas in the north the people have built up a great defensive system. This has cost, I believe, between £ 30-million and £ 40-million in the past 15 months. By the coming summer a constant flow of arms, munitions and aeroplanes and engines, not only for our own armies but for those of our Allies as well, will be coming forward in a fashion entirely satisfactory. Britain and her peoplq are financing this great effort by thef heaviest burden of taxation suffered b;* any nation in history, and they arc) doing it cheerfully. “I have taken on a very big job a.j commander of the Second New Zea-i land Expeditionary Force,” conclude j Major-General Freyberg. “EnormouJ traditions have been given to us, and they will help us. We shall do our utmost to maintain them in the field.” (Applause.) “I have the greatest confidence in the youth of the present day. If their fathers could achieve what they did in the last war. there is no reason why their sons should not do equally well.” Applause and cheering greeted the general on the conclusion of his speech.