GENERAL RUSSELL.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 May 1919, Page 4

GENERAL RUSSELL.

When the history of New Zealand's part in the war comes to be written, no one's same will be more prominent or more honored than that of Sir Andrew Russell, commander of the New Zealand Division. From the beginning to the very end, he was with his men, sharing their fortunes and misfortunes, encountering trials and sufferings inconceivably great, helping them wherever possible and receiving help in return, always trusting them and being trusted in return. No other leader in the British Army could have had the confidence and esteem of his men in a greater degree, and to this fact may be attributed not a little of the success achieved by the Division. He was a typical product of the New Zealand military system, and it says a good deal for that system, as well as for the soldierly qualities of Sir Andrew, that he came through every trial and test in the red furnace of wai with flying colors, gaining distinction from the highest Army authorities and honor from His Majesty the King. Being a colonial, trained with the men he was later to -command, he understood his troops and knew how to get the best results from them —not by adopting marinet, cast-iron methods, but by applying tact and common-sense. He was no "parade" soldier; pomp and ceremony were as abhorrent to him as to the ordinary soldier. In short, he treated those under him as men, not as mere units of the war machine. Hence his success and his popularity. The latter he never counted. He simply did what he conceived to be his duty by them and his country. The speech he made at Christchurch on his return was as modest as it was inspiring, and was characteristic of New Zealand's first civilian soldier. "Yoij cannot dissociate the commander from his men. ft was the same spirit that actuated all of us. There is no distinction between one vnit and another, between one branch and another. All alike, including the staff, have done their share in working for the common end. Success will be as great if we continue to be animated by the same spirit of each for all." That was his message to the nation. General Russell supplies a homely motto that may well be adopted by wery honest citizen: "One common aim, united for one object," and, he adds, "there is novi here we cannot go." Again in Wei-

lington on Saturday, referring to the treatment of the returned men, he pointed the way to the country "Men don't want charity; they want love, and the real helping hand, which all can give." That advice rings with sincerity and truth, and should be heeded by the public. It is so easy to forget and to beeoino indifferent, and the General's reminder ia opportune. It is not easy to again fit all the men into the economic fabric of the community—big and difficult tasks are right ahead of un—but where there's a will there's a way, and it should be as much a pleasure as a duty for all to do their full share in thia important respect.