FREEDOM OF CITY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 64, Issue 179, 11 May 1944, Page 3

FREEDOM OF CITY.

LONDON HONOURS MR FRASER.

TRADITIONAL CEREMONIAL

(Special Correspondent, N.Z.P.A.) (Rec. 9.15 a.m.) LONDON, May 10. The ancient grey stone Avails of the Guildhall, Avith raAv bricks showing here and there behind the dais, looked doAvn on Mr Fraser and Mr Curtin when they received the Freedom of the City of London to-day, at a function steeped in tradition. In this famous building, which still hears the scorch marks of the Great Fire of London, the city fathers, aldermen in their scarlet goAvns, and common councillors in blue, received the Prime Ministers of the four Dominions. Mrs Churchill and many members of the British Cabinet. While the orchestra played “Greensleeves” and extracts from “Merrie England,” the Lord Mayor, in his gold and black goAvn, and the Lady Mayoress received the distinguished guests, accorded their mead of applause as one by one famous names were called out and great personages strode down the aisle to mount the dais. Arc lights for film cameras shone like sunlight on the scarlet robes, giving a warm gIOAV to the scene, the melloAving stained - glass AvindoAvs ■showing up sharply the ravages of the German bombing. This necessitated the building of an iron roof to replace tlie ancient oaken rafters, and had robbed some of the statues of arms and legs. Many prominent New Zealanders Avere. present to see their Prime Minister given the highest honour the City can confer. They included Mr and Mrs Jordan, Major - General PutLick, Brigadier-'llargest, Brigadier R. S. Park and Air-Commodore E. G. Olson.

Before Mr Fraser, who was accompanied by Mrs: Fraser, and Mr Cm tin arrived, a very warm welcome was given to Field-Marshal Smuts, everyone clapping and cheering him. Mr \V. L. Mackenzie King also received most cordial applause. A storm of hand-clapping greeted Mr Fraser, who Avas followed by Mr Curtin. Both the Prime Ministers signed a document, Avhich includes the picturesque phrasing that “they are men of good name, that they did not desire the Freedom of this city and thereby defraud the King, and would pay their scot and bare their lot. Mr Fraser, who spoke for half an hour after Mr Curtin made a typical extempore speech. Mr Fraser, who received the free donis of six cities during his last visit to England, is also receiving the freedom of Edinburgh this week.