A POPULAR LEADER

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10280, 15 May 1919, Page 6

A POPULAR LEADER

TALK TO EX-SOLDIERS

GREAT RECEPTION TO GENERAL

RICHARDSON,

ADDRESS ON POST-AVAR PROB-

LEMS

'i ho i“-option accorded General G. S. Rii.Tiai-d--.jn by returned soldiers in the Oi-neU't Chamber of the Town Hall last night was no.-able for its enthusiasm -ad for tho display of good-will towards u’ d stinguished soldier. There was a very large attendance, over which Mr J. D. Harper, president if the local association, presided. In introducing General Richardson, Air. Harper referred to his work in the Old Country, and remarked that the soldiers mho had been abroad owed a debt of gratitude to tho General for <fiie interest he had always taken in them., , Now the General had come hack after splendid service abroad, his advice and counsel would be invaluable in the work of re-establishing tie men in civil life. Ho was sure the General’s great ability and energy would be reflected in the work ho would accomplish in this country. Mr Harper specially strcsssed the great necessity for re-establishing tho men permanently unfit. Mr D. J. Seymour, general fecreicry of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association, also welcomed the General, briefly on behalf of that body.

General Hiohardson was received great applause, the men joining in tlie singing of “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow.” This was followed by lusty cheers. Bo referred to the work that had been done for the men in England, and pointed out that if any credit was duo to him, all he could say was that the men were well worth it. The secret of success attained was that ho had always been able to look on everything from the men’s point of view. While it was possible that all the men had not received ■ complete satisfaction, he could honestly eay that their eases had always- been given full considera■feionil (Loud applause.) He thanked the men very sincerely for the splendid welcome they bad given him. His great aim was to see the men happily settled and contented after the war. The General pointed out that General Russsell, who they would- shortly he welcoming, also had their interests at heart, and the same could be said of other responsible officers. They looked upon him (General Richardson) as their champion, but, as a matter of fact, they had lots of champions. (Applause.) “In the great war,” said General Richardson, “you men did your little hit, and you just have to consider for a moment what the position would have been in the Empire if Britain had lost the war—and we were not very far from losing it once or twice.” In his work in. England ho had always had ; the. assistance of the Government, ■ and all that was left for him was to go ahead- in doing what was best for the men. Wherever he went in England he heard extraordinarily high opinions of the Now Zealand soldiers. He did not want to flatter the men, out it was perfectly true that the highest authorities, military and civil, right throughout the country, were convinced of the worth of the New Zealand soldier. The men had left behind 'them one of, the best names of any soldiers that had been in the United Kingdom.

Referring to Peace, General Ridhardscuh said that one of the greatest problems to be dealt with was the return to civilian life. On that hinged the industrial development of the hbnpire. He warmly eulogised those whose efforts enabled the industries of Britain to carry on, and they would know,, who was responsible—the women of . Great Britain. (Applause.) "he General emphasised the fact that practically every man returned was in a somewhat unsettled state, and he could not get down to work right- away. The public did not appear fully to understand the chusb of tibia, but it was not to be wondered at that returned soldiers were in' that, state after enduring the trials of war. He strongly appealed to returned men, as far as ppssible, to, minimise the unsettled state of affairs by getting back to civil life again as quickly as they could. Prom what ho could ascertain, this was going on satisfactorily. General Richardson had something to say with regard to the policy to bo adopted by the Returned Soldiers’ Association. He had noticed in England that the returned soldiers were not united. There were various distinct organisations and each claimed different objects, a fact which did not tend to promote the welfare of the returned soldier. Ho was pleased that in New Zealand they had one association, and if it was on the right lines he was confident it would ho to the advantage of every returned man. He deprecated the * splitting up of the organisation into different political groups, and told the men they would attain a higher standing by banding together as they were, doing.

Xlic speaker paid some attention to demobilisation questions. fWrtih re- ; ;ird to tho sending back of the Now /iraland troops, ho said that when ap- ,, ■* ;i',*’.#'d on the subject ho had asked ri- fifty vessels. To this the War replied that there were only ships ehib’e for unfit men, and the Genreminder was that he would see ■ Vil the men were unfit in order to them home.. This had been re-■i-ihle for the comparatively laige •hor of ships which had arrived in v Zealand- recently with returned lirra. This country wag now faced ',hi be question 'of dealing with the ■ - S a number of men who were return- ... and, as far as he knew, all the

would be back in the country by I'-rptember. He was satisfied that r*verv man would do his part in getting back to civil employment and would help himself if given the opportunity. The idea was thalt the men should go back into the jobs for which they were temperamentally fitted. The factors which made for success wero training, cducation r and character. If tho Repatriation Board did its duty, there should be little or no hardship. At the conclusion of the address there was a further enthusiastic demonstration, which continued until General Richardson had left the hall.