New Zealanders Were Like a Ball of Fire

Manawatu Times, Volume 67, Issue 209, 2 September 1942, Page 4

New Zealanders Were Like a Ball of Fire

MR. CHURCHILL’S OLOWINQ TRIBUTE Per Pres© Association. WELLINGTON. Sept L "During his visit to the Middle East Mr Churchill visited the desert on August 20.” said Hon. D. G. Sullivan In a statement. Following Is the full text of the speech which he then made to the representatives of the New Zealand Division in the presence of the Chief of the Imperial Staff, the commander-ln-chief Middle East forces and the commander of the Eighth Army: "I am very glad to have this opportunity of visiting the Desert Army. I certainly would not dream of going away without seeing the New Zealanders commanded by my old friend of many years standing, General Freyberg. In England not long before I left I heard someone say that the New Zealanders were like a ball of fire. It was said by someone, quite impartial, who had had a great opportunity of assessing your worth. "You have played a magnificent part, a notable and even a decisive part, in stemming a great retreat which might have been most detrimental to the whole cause of the British Empire and the United Nations. 1 know that on the other side of the world, in your own homes in New Zealand, all eyes are fixed on you. But even more eyes in England watch you fighting here with equal solicitude. "I wish you good luck in the great days that lie ahead—perhaps not so far ahead of you. We share the pride that your Dominion feels In the great services you are rendering and in the contributions you have made in this war, as in the last, to the pages of British Imperial history. You will be cherished by future generations who through your exertions and sacrifices will go forward to a better and fairer and brighter world.” Mr Sullivan said this tribute would be warmly welcomed by the people of the Dominion.