N.Z. TRIBUTE TO FRANCE.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 140, 13 June 1919, Page 6

N.Z. TRIBUTE TO FRANCE.

AUCKLAND'S CONTRIBUTION. | i rpHE fiEPUELIC'S ACKNOWLEDGE- j MENT. j An interesting letter from the General \ Secretary of the President of tho French Republic to the members of the Auckland Executive of the New Zealand Tribute to France arrived by the last mail. It will be remembered that the citizens of Auckland City and Province contributed £6000 to the General Tribute to France Fund. This was sent to France with the contributions of the other New Zealand centres, and at the instance of the chairman, 'Mr. A. VV. Gillies, of the Auckland Executive, cinematograph films of the displays given by the schools in honour of France were forwarded to the President of the Republic. Since the closing of the Fund a sum of £750 has been received by the Treasurer, Mr. A. A. Martin. It is intended to hand this money ovei» to the Vice-Consul for France, M. Hippeau, to be transmitted by him to the President cf the Republic, and to be -used for such patriotic purposes as he may think lit. The following L-* a translation of the letter:— "President de la Republic. Paris, April 2, 1919. From General Penelon, General Secretary of the Republic Presidency, to the Members of the Auckland Executive of the New Zealand Tribute to France. "Gentlemen, —The President of the Republic has been deeply touched by the expression of sympathy towards France which you have conveyed to him. Your generous and delicate action in contributing to make known the gigantic effort of France to establish a worldwide liberty and justice cannot but bo singularly appreciated by mc, who has the honour to represent her. That ia why your work, Gentlemen, is highly appreciated by the President of the French Republic. At the same time, the financial results you have obtained by your active propaganda, great as tliey undoubtedly arc, are largely surpassed by the mora"consequence of your action and by the educational aim which you seek in showing the continuity of the noble policy of France. The President; of the Republic has not failed to trans-

Mit at once to Marshal Foch the film .you sent, so that it might, in compliance with your wishes, be shown first to the New Zealand soldiers who so bravely fought on tho battlefields of France, and then to our own children. Your action will surely contribute, as you desire it should, to strengthen the indissoluble ties which unite our two nations. I am directed, therefore, to transmit you the thanks of the President of the Republic as well as the expression of his deep gratitude. I take the liberty to add thereto the expression of my high esteem. — (signed) General Penelon."