SIR WILLIAM BIRDWOOD.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3592, 2 October 1920, Page 7

SIR WILLIAM BIRDWOOD.

AN INTERESTING ADDRESS. LONDON, Sept. 30. Mr Andrew Fisher presided at the Australian and New Zealand Clubs’ luncheon to Sir William Birdwood | One hundred and fifty were present, including Sir James' Allen, Lords Inchcape, Ashfield, Rawlingson, Generals Hutton and Galway, and Justice Powers. Sir William Birdwood, in a long speech, paid a tribute to the Australian Government’s treatment of returned men. He could not believe that any other country had done more. It was also amazing what municipalities and private committees were doing. He ascribed the excellent results of repatriation firstly, to the adaptability and resource of the returned men; secondly, to the generosity and far-sighted policy of the Dominion Governments; thirdly, to the loyal co-operation of employers add civil communities; and fourthly, to the enthusiasm of employment committees. Commenting on his visit to Australasia, ho said that productive areas were unpopulated. He had told Australians that if the British race did not populate the vacant spaces, the time might come when others would think-they could do better and would make the 'attempt. He urged the Australians to welcome their British comrades to develop their resources Ho referred to the great handicap of constant breaks in the railways gauge, entailing terrible losses of time and power, demurrage, pilfering and expense of man-hand-ling. He was pleased that Mr. Hughes had convened a committee'to discuss the problem. He was delighted with shipbuilding constructs because until Australia with its magnificent natural harbours could build her own ships, she could not rise to the full zenith of prosperity. Australia and New Zealand were workmen’s paradises, but he fqlt sad at the num- ! erous strikes. He longed for sanity on the part of Labour, the cessation - °f agitation ,ond employers to give whiling co-operation and concession at the right time. Both dominions were naturally going slow in dej fence policies, as, in consequence of

the enormous burdens of wary they arei anxious to curtail expenditure to the minimum consistent with safety. He hoped the fine pre-war citizen service would be fostered and not allowed to fade away. He hoped Australia and New Zealand would encourage inter-; changes of officers with India, also' exchanges of University professors, 'schoolmasters, and civil servants be- ! tween the Dominions and England. ! He was disagreeably shocked at the ' heat and strength of sectarian feeling i in Australia, amounting nearly to exe- ! oration in certain parts of the country. Surely a free people should all live harmoniously together, irrespective of religious feelings. Sir William Birdwood concluded with an expression of appreciation of his treatment by the Dominion Governments. His speech was punctuated with humorous stories of his. experiences with soldiers anfl parents, which the ; large audience thoroughly enjoyed, j He prefaced the speech by holding up a small picture of a placard which ; the "Diggers" displayed at Fremantle on his arrival there. The picture was one of an outstretched hand inscribed: "Put it there. Birdie." He remarked: "That was my first greeting in Australia." The speech gave evidence of most remarkable powers of observation and study of Australian life and conditions