FIRST WELCOME.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 46, 23 February 1940, Page 8

FIRST WELCOME.

BY LORD GALWAY. « "EVERY RIGHT TO BE PROUD." • GERMAN MORALE SHAKEN. I . The first welcome, brief and informal, to Captain Parry, his officers, and the ratings of tlie Achillea, was extended by the Governor-General, Lord Galway, on board the cruiser at 9.40 a.m. As his Excellency walked up the gangway the band played the National Anthem. After liis Excellency had l>een met by Captain Parry lie extended a hearty welcome, opening with "Hacremai, haeremai, haeremai," (welcome, welcome, welcome). His Excellency then said he would like to extend the sympathy of all to the relatives of thoso lost in the action, but he knew their heart* would lie filled with pride at the sacrifice made. Six months ago lie and Lady Galway had returned to Auckland from an Island cruise, during which time they had had the opportunity of noting the work carried out on the ship, and the general efficiency, efficiency which was demonstrated when the Achilles placed her name on the scroll of honour for all time. As the representative of His Majesty, he wished to congratulate Captain Parry and his men. What tlicy had done had shaken the German morale on the seas, and they had every right to be proud of their achievement. It wan thought bv some that the British Navy wit* suffering from senile decay, but such was not the ca*e. He wanted to tell all on the Achilles how proud all were of the *liip and her men. Captain Parry, in a brief reply, said that all 011 board had done all that was [expected of them at the time, and he was proud of them.