UNREHEARSED INCIDENT.

Taihape Daily Times, 9 June 1919, Page 4

UNREHEARSED INCID E NT.

SIR JAMES ALLEN AT MILTON.

_R-ETURNED SOLDIERS’ OPINION OF GEN ERA-L GODLEY. At the presentation of a D.C.M.. medal on a recent Saturday night,‘ we note from the Bruce Herald (which gives 9. different version to that of the daily press). Sir James Allcn"was sub‘ jected to unpleasant intexjections on the part of a nurber of ' returned soldiers. -.

Speaking of rho fine wol'k~of the New Zealand soldiers at the various fronts, Sir James went on to say the New Zealanders had scarcely ever failed to accomplish anything they were :a.sl~:ed—— with the exception of Passchendaele, wfiere conditions were such that it was humanely impossible to capture the I'idg'e. A Voice: Passchendaele was General Godley’s mistake. Sir James:‘ Oh, no. General Godley was 3 first-class soldier. A Voice: Perhaps in -New Zealand, but not at the front. Sir James Allen: Vile have it on "the aufhority of Generals Russell and Richardson that General Godley was a first-class soldier.

A Voice: We never saw him. Wesaw Lady Godley. Sir James: It is not generous of you returned soldiers to criticise Your oflieers. Continuing, Sir James referred to the system of sending reinforcements. New Zealanders at the front always‘ knew that their comrades were speeding across the ocean to help them. A Voice: Not on Gallipoli. Sir James: I must request the returned soldiers not to interrupt, and remember they are still under a certain amount of"diseipline. A Voice. No. We have finished With’ your discipline. . Sir James Allen then referred to the incidents which had earned for Rifle--111871 Keogh the Distinguished Conduct Medal during the fighting at Passchendaele, and after reading an extract from the London Gazette of that incident, pinnedlthe medal on the recipient’s' breast, rcniarking that he Would like to have such a record ‘himself. A Voice: Hear, hear; and I’d -like to‘ change places with you.

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