Diggers Greet General Freyberg

Manawatu Times, Volume 65, Issue 3, 4 January 1940, Page 6

Diggers Greet General Freyberg

Enthusiasm and Obvious Emotion PRAISE FOR SECONL EXPEDITIONARY FORCE Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Jan. 3. With enthusiasm and obvious emotion the Wellington returned soldiers accorded Major-General Freyberg a tumultuous welcome at a meeting in the Town Hall concert chamber this evening. They cheered him as he roso to speak and sang “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow.” Afterward he shook hands with the men who had served in the divisions with which he had been associated in the last war. Lieut.-Col. A. Cowles, president of the Wellington Returned Soldiers’ Association, expressed the pleasure felt by exsoldiers that General Freyberg had been appointed to command the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force. He would be au inspiration to the younger men, he said. Hon. W. Perry, president of the New Zealand Returned .Soldiers ’ Association, said he was glad to see such a big crowd. He knew they would wish General Freyberg the greatest possible success. “As I said yesterday, if I don’t appear moved by this reception to-night it belies the feelings that are inside me,” said General Freyberg. “Since arriving in New Zealand what with the kindness shown to me and my work I have deserted all my old friends, but you must remember that if I have not been able to come to see you it is not because I did not want to.” Referring to his inspections of the troops in camp at Burnham, Trentham, Ngaruawahia and Papakura, General Freyberg said: “I think from my experience that my eye is pretty good, and I can tell you I have been greatly impressed by the stamp of man, by his demeanour on parade and by his toughness, and I’m perfectly certain that it will not be lor want of trying or want of grit if they do not live up to the great traditions set them. We feel the responsibility, and I know it and I’m glad of it, because it sets us a standard that we must live up to. If we do that it will reflect the greatest credit on the Expeditionary Force and on our country.”