GENERAL BIRDWOOD.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 July 1920, Page 4

GENERAL BIRDWOOD.

The visit of General Sir William Birdwood? to Hawera to-day is an event that will cause the "Diggers" of Taranaki the greatest satisfaction. Of all the leading companders in the Great War, there was not one who so completely gained tin confidence of -New Zealand soldiers to the same extent as General Birdwood. Not one of the returned men who came under the influence of the "Soul of Anzfic' 1 will ever forget this broad-minded and ideal officer. It is a matter of the deepest regret that the limited time a.t General Birdwood's disposal prevented his visiting other parts of Taranaki, but he may rest assured that the whole Province welcomes him ..as an honored guest, a courageous and skilled general, and an outstanding example of what a great soldier should be. He was the the men he commanded, and they never tire of expressing their whole-hearted admiration for'him. It is not surprising, therefore, that the whole community has come to regard General Birdwood in much the same way as those wirh whom he shared the common dangers and hardships of the war. He understood our boys, kuew how to handle and inspire them, while proving their true friend. No visitor to the Dominion has ever been more welcome than General Birdwood, the creator of the spirit of Anzae. Though Taranaki's welcome has to be concentrated at Hawera to-day,' it is none the less universal, as this famous commander will find should he, as is hoped, be able to make a more extended tour on some future occasion.