NETHERLANDS DELEGATION

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23818, 11 December 1942, Page 4

NETHERLANDS DELEGATION

CHRISTCHURCH VISIT

TASMAN CELEBRATIONS

AT HOKITIKA

Members of the Netherlands Government delegation to attend the Tasman tercentenary celebrations on the west Coast who arrived in Christchurch by air from Wellington yesterday, escorted by the Minister of Internal Affairs (the Hon. W. E, Parry), will leave at noon by special rail-car for Hokitika. The delegation is headed by Dr. Charles O, van der Plas, Chief Commissioner for his Government in Australia and New Zealand, and a noted linguistic expert from the East Indies. With him are Major-General L. P. van Temmcn, of the Royal Netherlands Army, Lieutenant-Commander H. V. Quispel, of the Royal Netherlands Navy, and Mr J. van Holst Pellekaan, former Netherlands Trade Commissioner m Australia, and now secretary to the Commission. The Netherlands ConsulGeneral (Mr M. K. Vigeveno) is also with the party. Travelling with the Ministerial Party arc Mr W. J. Heenan, Under-Secretary of Internal Affairs, and Mrs Heenan, Mr F. B. Stephens, the Government reception officer, Dr. J. C. Beaglehole, of Victoria University College, and Mr J. D. Pascoe. of the Internal Affairs research staff. The visitors were met at the aerodrome in the morning by the Mayor (Mr E. H. Andrews) and the Town Clerk (Mr H. S. Feast). After luncheon (at which they were joined by Mr E. T. Tirikatene, M.P.), the party was taken for a tour of the city and environs by the Mayor. On arrival at Hokitika this evening a civic reception will be accorded the delegation. To-morrow morning scenic attractions in the district will be inspected. In the afternoon the delegation will attend the Tasman tercentenary celebrations in Hokitika. Owing to bridges over the Wanganui and Waitangi rivers having been washed away it was arranged that the visitors should not travel south to Okarito, as had been originally intended, but that the festivities should bo transferred to Hokitika. Dr. van dcr Plas said, on arrival in Christchurch, that to visit New Zealand had been an ambition since 1918. In that year ho was on his way back to Europe from the Indies, and travelled with a parly of New Zealand soldiers from Singapore. “I was particularly impressed with both the intelligence and good manners of the New Zealanders that I met on the s.s. Rimutaka,” he remarked, “and I made up my mind that one day I would make it my business to see something of their country.” The Chief Commissioner was in Batavia, where ho was one of the principal advisers to the Governor-Gen-eral, until the full of the Netherlands Indies.

“I left Batavia with much regret,” he said. “The aerodrome had been bombed to such an extent that we had not a single airfield left, and we nad to take off in an aeroplane from the road. ’'Ours was the second last aeroplane to go to Australia.” Lack of War Equipment

Dr. van dor Plas spoke regretfully of the lack of bombers and other equipment in the Indies. Most of the aeroplanes had been lost in Malaya. Others that had been ordered from Europe had been diverted to Russia, where, it was realised, the need for them was even greater than in the Indies.

Commenting on the reaction of the native peoples to the Japanese invasion. Dr. van der Plas said only in three instances, out of a total population of 72,000.000, had they been welcomed. There was one case of fifth column activity, but the man concerned had been arrested. “I trust that he has since been hanged on the highest available tree.” commented the Chief Commissioner. In another case in Sumatra two tribes had taken advantage of the situation to renew an ancient feud. Also, in the Celebes, there had been a similar outbreak between two notable families, and the victors had received the Japanese as allies.

“When one lakes into consideration tho enormous population,” he said, • this is a record of which we mignt well be proud. The natives showed great courage and loyalty in the face of enormous difficulties. One of the Indonesian intellectuals with whom I had been co-operating (and who had visited Japan), continued to broadcast until his transmitter had to be destroyed. Though at the peril of his life, he continued to inform the people that Japanese occupation meant oppression.”

Speaking of the scorched earth policy that had been carried out so successfully in the Indies. Dr. van der Plas said if was a heartbreaking task; “but wo were thoroughly prepared for it. We had been ready since 1939. The difficulty, however, was to know just when (lie Japanese would strike. In my own province of East Java we destroyed no fewer than 968 bridges in two days.” Secret Documents Destroyed

All Government secret documents had been destroyed with thoroughness. Even the income tax returns were burnt so that the Japanese would not find out what the people were capable of earning, likewise the official lists of radio owners.

Referring to the problems of rehabilitation and reconstruction that must be faced when the Dutch return to Die Indies. Dr. van der Plas said: "I shudder to think of them.” "But the Indonesian,” ho said, “has not only an ancient culture of his own, but also is most adaptable to modern conditions. He has the gift of activity. We have had the co-operation of Indonesian intellectuals in the past, and I am sure we will have it again.”

An expert on horses, Major-General van Tcmmcn has visited both Australia and China to buy remounts for the Netherlands Indies Army. Traffic in horses from Australia, he said, began as early as 1905. On the outbreak of the last war, however, the supply ceased for some years, and he was sent lo China to make purchases of Mongolian horses. ”11 was rather a curious experience,” commented the General, “as at that time China was infested by bandits, and, when I went out to inspect horses I had to be provided with a guard lo protect me from the bandits!"

COMMON_IDEALS NEW ZEALAND AND HOLLAND

CIVIC WELCOME TO VISITORS “You are sons of a sailor nation. So are we. We are sons of colonial pioneers. So are you. But you are also sons of fathers who fought and died for political freedom and religious liberty. We still retain those ideals, and are prepared to die for them so long as our country is under the heel of the German oppressor.” Dr. van der Plas struck a responsive note when he replied to an address of welcome extended by the Mayor and councillors of Christchurch last night. The Chief Commissioner was accompanied to the civic reception by the members of the delegation, and escorted by the Minister of Internal Affairs Uhe Hon. W. E. Parry). The Netherlands Consul-General (Mr M. F. Vigeveno) was also present The members of the delegation led the gathering in singing the Dutch National Anthem. The proceedings concluded with the British National Anthem.

“Believe me. between you people and my own there is a deep sympathy,” continued Dr. van der Plas. "We understand each other. We are glad to have you as neighbours in the Pacific, and thrill to know that you and your Australian brothers are so close. In time we hope to make the south-western Pacific a haven for mankind, free from want, free from fear. We will do all we can to realise our ideals in the work of reconstruction ahead, because we know that

100. that you and the other Allied Nations will not rest until justice is done.”

"This is a war of principles,” he concluded, "a war that will decide whether or not you and your children's children are to be slaves. Therefore. with bleeding hearts we had to destroy so much in our Indies that had taken us years to achieve, but we knew that sacrifices had to be made.” The Mayor referred to Dr. van der Plas as the direct representative of “that brave and tragic figure," Queen Wilhelmina. and praised him for his work as a groat colonial organiser and administrator.

“Dr. van der Plas and his colleagues are deeply interested in the social legislation of our country,” said the Minister of Internal Affairs. “He agrees with me that in the near future we will see firmly established inter-Em-pire social security with full reciprocation with respect to the benefits embodied in the New Zealand Social Security Act. “There is no reason why this should not help to form the foundation of peace among the nations who are allied with the British Empire,” said Mr Parry, "and the establishment of a maximum standard below which no human being will be expected to live.” Professor Sinclaire, who spoke for “the man in the street,” said that the Government should be congratulated on commemorating' the magnificent work of Abel Tasman, and New Zealand was honoured by such a distinguished representation of the navi-