JUST LIKE HOME.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 84, 9 April 1940, Page 9

JUST LIKE HOME.

DOMINION PRAISED.

VISITING LABOUR M.P.

MAYORAL, RECEPTION HELD,

Informality and cordiality marked n Mayoral reception held at the Town Hall this morning, when the guest was Mr. D. R. Grenfcll, British Labour M.P., who represented the United Kingdom brancli of the F.mpire Parliamentary Association at the . New Zealand Centennial celebrations.

There was a representative gathering of members of Auckland local bodies and organisations, and among those present were Mr. I'. K. Price, president of the Auckland Welsh Society, and Mr. Arthur Rosser, whose birthplace was at Mumbles, near Swansea, in Wales, in Mr. (irenfell's electorate.

The Mayor, Sir Ernest Davis, said that they appreciated very much the views that Mr. (irenfell had expressed while in Xew Zealand, and wonted him. when he went back, to tell tho people of Britain that Xew Zealand was as loval as ever, and always would be. There were no defeatist minds in the Dominion. and Xew Ze:ilanders would always do their liest for the Kmpire. Sir Krne'st w islied Mr. («rcnfell bon vova*je.

Sound and Healthy. llr. (>n»nfell said lie was approaching the end of a very interesting visit to New Zealand. He came a few weeks ago expecting to find the people with institutions and traditions similar to of the Old Country and his anticipations had been more than confirmed. He had found Xcw Zealand just as mixed as Britain, but New Zealand was all the better for a blend of the best elements of Britain, as the Dominion had a new setting, environment and task. People had come to Xcw Zealand to start a new life and build a new country and they had ample work ahead as the vears went by. Social standards were being built on a very high level and they would be all the better for that, as a cause of dissatisfaction in older countries was that standards were too low. That was one of the causes of instability in Europe to-day. Xcw Zealand ideas were sound and healthy and that made for security.

Housing System. Mr. Grenfell said that lie had nothing but praise for the housing system in New Zealand, and added that ft was infinitely superior to any other country he had been in. Xew Zealand could l>e exceedingly prou<l of what it liad accomplished in that direction. He had also praise for the high standard of the Xew Zealand Press.

Finally, Mr. Grenfell referred to the war effort that the Empire was making. He said that the swastika was an emblem of conceit and arrogance. Britain was determined that that should not rule the world, and Britain would appreciate all the help that other parte of the Empire could give. The people of Britain were firm and resolute in their determination to win, and make a better world that would be safe and secure.