CEREMONIAL PARADE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 April 1940, Page 3

CEREMONIAL PARADE

WITH our: TROOPS IN EGYPT. BRITISH AMBASSADOR TAKES SALUTE. (N.Z.E.F. Official News Service.) March 9. Today has been the occasion o£ a mass ceremonial parade by the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force. Our salute was taken this time by Ihe British Ambassador in Egypt, Sir Miles Lampson, who was accompanied byLady Lampson. The picture ot efficiency and precision presented by our force was more impressive than ever. Brilliant weather favoured Ihe parade, and the striking figure of the ambassador, in the full regalia of his position, added to the colourful nature of the scene. That Sir Miles was impressed by the standard of the movements carried out by our troops was made evident in the remarks which he addressed to us after his inspection. He offered his congratulations to all ranks on their efficiency. smartness and soldierly bearing. It had fallen to him on our arrival in Egypt, he said, to deliver to us the gracious message of His Majesty' the King. Since then almost a month had passed, and we were now well installed in our new surroundings. “After New Zealand the desert must seem very' bleak and bare to you. but. as usual, you have made the best ol things." Sir Miles continued. “This is the first time, no doubt, that many of you have gone overseas and have been stationed in a foreign land. In coming to Egypt, however, you are very fortunate. This country is full of interest, both past and present, and you will find its people friendly' and cheerful." Since 193 G Egypt has been an independent country, the ambassador said, but on the outbreak of war the nation had at once rallied to Britain's side. He wanted us to bear this fact in mind, and to help, by our friendly bearing, to maintain and consolidate the relations

which existed between Egypt and Britain. “You will no doubt be wondering what the future has in store and what your next destination will be,” he added. "It may be that there will be a period of waiting and of preparation, but whether that period of waiting be long or short, I am sure of one thing, and that is that when the time comes you will show the same spirit and courage as your fathers did 25 years ago. and worthily uphold the fine traditions which they have handed down to you." And then, at the ambassador’s behest, the thousands of men drawn up before him lifted their hats into the air and sot the sandy hills echoing with three real New Zealand cheers for the King.