WARM GREETINGS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 46, 23 February 1940, Page 7

WARM GREETINGS.

ACHILLES WELCOME. Message Read From British Government. SIGNAL CONTRIBUTION. The following message from the Dominions Secretary, Mr. Anthony Eden, to the Governor-General, Viscount Gahvay, was read at the Achilles welcome at Auckland today:— "His Majesty's Government has learned with great pleasure of the arrival in Xew Zealand of the Achilles fresh from the great battle which led to the destruction of the Graf Spee. The heroic and skilful part which it played in that notable victory will long be remembered in the annals of naval history. and has added lustre to the record of Xew Zealand achievement in the struggle for liberty and justice in which we are engaged. "Xew Zealand may well be proud of lier sons who have given such signal proof of the contribution which Xew Zealand is making towards common victory. We feel it particularly appropriate that the Achilles should arrive home in Xew Zealand on the day on which the officers and men of H.M.S. Exeter and Ajax are being reviewed by His Majesty the King. "We should have been happy if it had been possible for tlie officers and men of the Achilles to be similarly honoured in London at the same time, but seeing that circumstances have not rendered this feasible we can assure them that the gallant part which tbev took in the action will be present in the minds of all here. "To all officers and men of the Achilles His Majesty's Government sends warmest greetings and best wishes for their future welfare and success."