BRITISH EMPIRE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 199, 23 August 1945, Page 7

BRITISH EMPIRE

INSTRUMENT FOR PEACE

COMMISSIONER WELCOMED

The ties that existed between New Zealand and Britain, and the admiration the Dominion had for the way the British people stood up to the blitz were the themes of addressses given at two Auckland receptions yesterday to Sir Patrick Duff, new High Commissioner for the United Kingdom in New Zealand. With Lady Duff, Sir Patrick was officially welcome to Auckland for the first time by the Mayor, Mr. Allum, at a reception in the Town Hall council chamber in the afternoon. "We lost the last peace because the nations failed to work for it with the same energy and with the same unity of purpose which they displayed in the war," said Sir Patrick, in replying to the Mayor's welcome. "If we are to do better this time, we shall need to hold steadfastly to the same unity among ourselves and the spirit of discipline, self-denial and sacrifice at home which we have to-day. "Surely one of the most important instruments for peace as it has been for war," said Sir Patrick, "is this great community of nations and peoples known collectively as the British Commonwealth and Empire." At a reception arranged by the combined Auckland patriotic societies last evening, Sir Patrick referrd to the effects of German bombing as exemplified by the deaths of more than 60,000 civilians and the damaging of millions pf homes. Tributes to British spirit in the of danger were also paid by the chairman, Mr. E. Earle Vaile, and the Mayor, Mr. Allum.