High Tribute Paid Men Of N.Z. Division

Taranaki Daily News, 2 September 1942, Page 4

High Tribute Paid Men Of N.Z. Division

Press Assn.

Text of Mr. Churchill's address in desert.

Wellington, Last Night.

"During his visit to the Middle East Mr. Churchill visited the desert on August 20," said the deputy Prime Minister, the Hon. D. G. -Sullivan, in a statement to-day. "The following is the full text of the epeech which he then made to representatives of the New Zealand Division in the presence of the Chief of the Imperial General Staff, the Commander-in-Chief Middle East Forces and the commander of the 8th Army: — " 'I am very glad to have this opportunity of visiting the desert army. I certainly would not dream of going away without seeing the New Zealanders, commanded by my old friend of many years' standing, General Freyberg. In England not long before I left I heard someone eay the New Zealanders were like a ball of fire. It was said by someone quite impartial, who had a great opportunity of assessing your worth. You have played a magnificent part, a notable and even decisive part, in stemming a great retr£a+ whioh might have been most detrimental to the whole cause of the British Empire and the United Nations. " 'I know that on the other side of the world, in your own homes in New Zealand, all eyes are fixed on you, but even ttiore eyes in England watch you fighting here with equal solicitude. I wish you good luck in the great days that lie ahead — perhaps not so far ahead of you. " 'We share the pride that your Dominion feels in the great services you are rendering and in the contributions £u have made in this war, as in the t, to the pages of British Imperial history. You will be cherished by future generations who through your exertions and sacrifices will go forward to a better and fairer and brighter world.' " Mr. Sullivan said this tribute would be warmly welcomed by the people of the Dominion.