"A NOBLE CAUSE."

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 87, 14 April 1941, Page 4

"A NOBLE CAUSE."

WAR WEEK CAMPAIGN.

MR. W. J. JORDAN'S ADDRESS

LONDON, February 11

The High Commissioner for New Zealand, Mr. W. J. .Jordan, spent last Saturday at Bishop Auckland, an ancient town near Durham, where, at the. invitation of Dr. Hugh Dalton, M.P., for the town, and Minister for Economic Warfare, he inaugurated the local War Weapons Week and National Savings campaign. Previously he had participated in a similar campaign at Wimbledon, where he resides.

A military parade opened t lie proceedings. The siilme was taken in the Market Plaee by Mr. Jordan, who was accompanied on tiie platform by LieutenantGeneral W. O. Holmes, and two brigadiers. and the chairman and officials of the campaign committee. So enthusiastic was the reception that the High Commissioner had to u'ive a word of commendation to the gathering for the spirit shown. To the children he said they would be the citizens of the future, and he asked them to maintain in days to come, the heritage for which we at present are fighting.

Previous Visit Recalled The official opening took place in the Town Hail. Mr. Jordan recalled his previous visit to Bishop Auckland, as a result of which there had been an interchange of photographs between Bishop Auckland and Auckland, New Zealand. He paid a warm tribute to the work of Dr. Dalton in international affairs at Geneva, and in his present office of Minister for Economic Warfare. He, and others, said Mr. Jordan, realised that the foundations of a better world were based, not only on peace in international life, but also in industrial and domestic affairs. He added that our fellow men and women in many countries had today lost the rights they had. even to strive for better things. They were forbidden to worship in their own way. or to meet in trades unions and lodges* and also to organise for their mutual welfare. They were denied the principle of choosing their own rulers, or to discuss their own affairs. It was to defend these things, which Britain and the Empire had retained, that we felt called upon to support in every way the war effort. He made a strong appeal for the fullest support for the War Weapons Week.

New Zealand's War Effort. Particular reference was also made by Air. .Jordan to Now Zealand's Avar effort. She had sent overseas 20,000 infantry, and another 10,000 were in training. There were 3000 men in the navy and over 1000 in the R.A.F., with an undertaking to furnish 4000 men for the Air Force each year. The Maoris had a battalion overseas, and 100 nurses were serving abroad. '"These men and women," he said, "are defending what we enjoy and hope for the opportunity of improving."

A warm vote of thanks proposed by the Bishop of Durham, was accorded the High Commissioner.

To the New Zealand High Commissioner, Air. W . J". Jordan, who opened the Bishop Auckland Campaign," said the "Middlesborough Evening Gazette," "thanks are due for the great send-off he gave a noble cause."