GENERAL RUSSELL.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 May 1919, Page 5

GENERAL RUSSELL.

GREAT RECEPTION IN CHRISTCHURCH.

TRIBUTE TO THE NEW ZEALANDERS.

By Telegraph.—Press Association. Christchurcli, Last Night. The reception at the barracks was packed, and the Mayor welcomed General Russell to the city. Sir Francis Bell said that General Russell had earned the esteem of the soldiers, who had nothing but honor for the man whose discipline had made a name for New Zealand among the warring nations of the world. General Russell paid a high tribute to the work of the New Zealanders, and dealt with the part played by the troops in the war. He said ha believed that the Canterburys fired the first shot among the New Zealanders, and were certainly among the last in this firing line, being with the Otagos in that connection. He had to say to the Otago and Canterbury men what he had never expected to say tit any time, and that was that they had gone far enough. The whole division had been actuated 'by tho corporate spirit, which New Zealand must foster in the future, with one common aim. United for one object, there was practically no where that New Zealand could not t-o. 'He paid a touching tribute to the men who had fallen. That day's reception was what could have been expected .after the way in which the people of New Zealand had looked after their men at the front.

General Russell was entertained by the Mayor at luncheon at the City Council Chambers. Responding to the toast of his health, General Russell spoke of Sir A. J. Godley and the extremely high standard of discipline and duty that he had established, and the qualities of justice and detailed care for his soldiers. These had not received the recognition that they undoubtedly deserved. He owed much to General Godley, to whom the great success of the Army Corps on Gallipoli had been largely due, and he would like to feel that those present realised what he said to be true.

At the conclusion of the luncheon, Mr. N. B. McCallum, president of the Canterbury branch of the Returned Soldiers' Association, asked General Russell's acceptance of a gold badge of membership in the association. He said words failed him to express how much the returned soldiers appreciated the General's leadership in far-away lands. They had the utmost respect for him. General Russell, who was obviously pleased with the presentation, said, as a returned soldier, he was proud to be inducted into the association in such a manner, and with such expressions of goodwill. He hoped what Mr. McCallum had said was true, and that he and the returned soldiers had the utmost confidence in ope another, Sir Andrew Riissell baa been with the New Inlanders since the main body, and not even had a furlough in New Zealand. Interviewed, he expressed himself as anxious to return to civil life. On the subject of repatriation, the General declined an opinion. "I have been a farmer all my life, and it is no use my going into another man's paddock to teach him farming," he said.