INTO FAIRER LANDS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 February 1943, Page 4

INTO FAIRER LANDS

MR CHURCHILL’S ADDRESS TO NEW ZEALANDERS HISTORIC PARADE IN TRIPOLI. TRIBUTE TO THE DIVISION. (Official War Correspondent, N.Z.E.F.) NEAR TRIPOLI, Feb. 4 (delayed). “You will march into fairer lands; you will march into lands when the grim and severe conditions of the desert will be but memories. But, having endured these conditions, the fighting qualities which you have displayed will only shine the brighter and be turned to greater advanrtage.” —ln these words Mr Churchill spoke of the future to the New Zealand Division, in an address near Tripoli today. It was the largest single parade of New Zealanders ever assembled in the Middle East and comprised, under Lieutenant-General Freyberg’s command, almost the entire New Zealand fighting force which advanced from El Alamein to Tripoli. “Far away in New Zealand homes at the other side of the globe, all hearts are swelling with pride at your deeds,” said Mr Churchill, who also added Britain’s thanks and admiration for the Desert Army. “All,” he said, “are full of gratitude to the people of New Zealand, who have sent this splendid division to win fame and honour across the oceans.” I After reviewing the changed outllook in the war situation and contrasting his present visit to the Eighth lArmy with that of a year ago, Mr iChurchill added: “On behalf of his [Majesty’s Government, on behalf of all the peoples of the Homeland. I give you our expression of earnest and warm-hearted thanks. We cherish the memory of all you have done. We wish you Godspeed and God’s assistance in your further conquests. You can be sure that, as your duty will not Ifail, so your success will be achieved.”