THE EXPEDITIONARY FORCES

New Zealand Listener, Volume 2, Issue 28, 5 January 1940, Page 3

THE EXPEDITIONARY FORCES

Personal Message From The Minister

HIS personal message to the officers and men of the New Zealand Forces has been supplied to The Listener by the Hon. F. Jones, Minister of Defence (whose photograph appears above ) :- ; " At a date not possible to make public, though it may be soon, you will be leaving New Zealand for service overseas. I cannot meet you all personally, however much I could wish to do so, but I would like to take this opportunity in the pages of " The Listener" to tell you how §gratified I am at the splendid spirit which prevails among officers and men throughout the whole of our forces. That speaks for itself. It is an inspiration to see such a genuine spirit of comradeship and enthusiasm. May it always exist. Only recently have I had the opportunity of visiting our Army camps, the Naval Base and our Air Force establishments. Conditions existing in all of them were a source of great personal gratification to me. "Personally I feel that New Zealand can take pride in the conditions under which her soldiers and her airmen are undergoing their training. As far as is humanly possible, the Government has endeav- oured to provide for those who have enlisted, accommodation as

comfortable and as attractive as possible. We believe that the camps and stations should be worthy of the men who have volunteered their services in this time of stress. "TI have been particularly impressed with the physique and keen. ness of the men. There is a genuine desire to acquire military knowledge, however arduous the conditions. And here I should like to pay a tribute to your instructors, for you have obviously been true to them. " An ofticer of outstanding ability, General Freyberg, V.C., has been chosen as your leader. He is a man with an inspiring military reputation. You are fortunate to have such a leader and, I have no hesitation in saying, General Freyberg is also fortunate in having volunteers of such a splendid type to lead. "The first New Zealand Division gained a high and enviable reputation, both on the field of action and while on leave. I am satisfied in my own mind that you will not allow that record to be sullied, but that you will further enhance the name of this Dominion. New Zealanders have established a great reputation not only as soldiers but as men of character. Personally I feel that there is no need to worry on that score. One and. all, you will be anxious to preserve that reputation, in whatever country you may chance to find yourselves. "The task you have set out to do is to aid in the defeat of the enemy. It will require all our courage, all our determination and all our resources in the combined effort to restore to the world a state of living in which right and not might shall prevail. "Our Naval officers and ratings and our Air Force personnel have already been‘in conflict. They have shown such determination, courage, and the will to win that the whole world has rung with praise for them. Probably you are already looking forward to your own opportunity. I am sure you will achieve similar distinction. " Soon you will be leaving what we believe to be the most peaceful and happy country in the world. Rest assured that your progress and your welfare will be watched and guarded with the closest interest. Many of you are leaving behind Mothers and Fathers; others are leaving sisters and brothers; others again are leaving their sweethearts. It is the inevitable result of war. "My sincerest thoughts and best wishes go out to you all wherever you may be and in whatever circumstances you may find yourselves."