10,000 AT CIVIC RECEPTION

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25243, 23 July 1947, Page 6

10,000 AT CIVIC RECEPTION

Acknowledgement Of

Welcome

“MOST WARM AND TOUCHING”

“Wherever I go I ask: ‘What has happened?’” This was Field-Marshal Viscount Montgomery’s way of expressing his amazement at the civic reception in the King Edward Barracks yesterday, to the welcomes he has been given. He described the Christchurch welcome as “magnificent,” and “most warm and touching,” and said that he liked to think it was meant also for the servicemen and service women who had been his comrades in war.

More than 10,000 citizens were in the Barracks and the streets surrounding the building held probably as many more. The crowd in Cashel street attempted to rush the open car when it came to a standstill, and it was only with difficulty that the official party made their way through the crowd cheering the field-marshal into the barracks. When he stepped on to the dais, on which a large civic and offi. cial party was seated, the demonstration was memorable. “In a few words but most sincerely, I accord the city’s welcome to our distinguished visitor,” said the Mayor (Mr E. H. Andrews). It was difficult to compare Lord Montgomery with the great soldiers of the past, but undoubtedly he ranked equal, and probably superior, to such great soldiera as Marlborough and Wellington. In his inimitable language, Winston Churchill had said that: “At El Alamein we survived; after that we con- . quered.” Man of the Hour “It is difficult to put into words lh« debt of gratitude New Zealand and , the Empire owe to him for his unique contribution in delivering the world from the tide of horror which threatened to engulf it,” said the Primate of New Zealand (Archbishop WestWatson). As in the political field they were given Churchill, so in the military sphere the hour struck and they were gratefully given Montgomery, prepared by years of vigorous disciP1 Archbishop West-Watson said he had known the father and mother of Lord Montgomery in England. His lather, Bishop Montgomery, was not only * very perfect gentle knight of Christ as but also a great missionary statesman, who talked in continents. Ona a could say the same of the field-mar-shal and that be fought and was now thinking for them in continents. Ha shared with many in the barracks i Slide that their sons took part in that istoric and amazing step forward from El Alamein to Tunis. They were proud of it and of the inspiration the general gave.to them and to the Army under his command. They were glad to thank him for his leadership in the years of conflict. They were now inspired by his message to press forward to strive to win the peace, and to renew their faith in God and the destiny of the British Empire Two old apostolic codes aptly fitted his message: “Fear God. Honour the King and “Quit you like men, be strong. The Minister of Defence (Mr F. Jones) said he did not recall having seen a more inspiring sight than the schoolchildren of Christchurch lining J the streets to extend a welcome to the field-marshal, who had given « the first great land victories to the world, and was one of the architects of victory. Cries for “Monty” “We want Monty! We want Monty!" chorused a large section of the crowd Mr E. Orchard, president of the Christchurch R.S.A.. mentioned that both he and the field-marsal could claim to b»S parsons' sons, possessing all the vir. tues and none of the vices. The re. , s turned soldiers were looking forward,,, to meeting him at their reception. * Cheers for “Monty" were called f0g,.,,, by the Mayor, and the crowd ac< corded him musical honours, followed by an even more resounding round Ct Close relations with his big audiendj’I’* 1 ’* were immediately established by the field-marshal when he manipulated the microphones and remarked that he aiQ not know which one was any gooo. They were all supposed to be good—• tut some were not as good as others. “I do thank you for the great welcome,” he said in serious vein. Wher- ■ ever I go I ask: ‘What has happened? When I came through miles of your streets, I felt that the welcome is really not meant for me only, but tor the fighting men of all services who served under me m this war. That is what I would like to feeE” On his southern trip he had caught “the mother and father” of a cold, but the weather for the last two days had been lovely. If the day was a sample of. the weather, Christchurch would not be a bad place in which to live. Two things which he would like to say something about were the beauty of New Zealand and the people. Tne country contained everything that man could desire. That was a very great | advantage to start with. New Zealanders were a very fine people, the men being strong, tne women beautiful, and the children very healthy. He saw those three characters of citizenship wherever he went They had a great asset, because he firmly believed that the true and ultimate strength of a nation lay in its people, and in their capacity to work, with the people and the wonderful country, they could do anything they liked, although he did not think New Zealand had enough people. It could have a few more and he would like to come here himself when he retired. (Applause.) Heritage For Children “I think we have to be careful in the future that the children are brought up properly to take on the heritage which is theirs,” said Lord Montgomery. “They have to be brought up properly in the homes and not only in the scnools. It is in the home and family that the foundation is laid. “It’s o.k’d by the Mayor,” Lord | Montgomery cheerily announced when he pleaded for a full holiday for all school children, who “looked overworked.” Catching sight of a large number of University undergraduates, he said they also wanted a holiday, a thought which was heartily applauded by the students. There were present a great many who fought with him in the desert and he was happy to meet them again and would meet them more intimately at that evening’s reception, said Lord Montgomery. Referring to his life membership badge of tne N.Z.R.S.A. on his tunic, he said he was not supposed to wear the badge if he was still serving. “But I don’t want to be an exserviceman until I am very, very old,* he added. He felt that they were comrades in war. and with the badge, that they were comrades in peace. He liked to think they had a definite link. x. Pj scu ssing gifts of underclothing, the field-marshal said that the Mayor had sai d he was getting a pair of shoes. By the tune he left, he would be properly dressed. “I thank you for the welcome—mo«t warm and most touching,” he concluded. “You are a warm-hearted people. Thank you very much, indeed.’ 1 TRAVELLING RUG AND WALKING STICK GIFTS PRESENTED BY R.S.A. A large travelling rug made at Kais*’*,' poi and a carved walking stick wcr« .. presAted to Field-Marshal Lord Montgomery by the president of the Chrirt- * church Returned Services’ 'Mr E. Orchard) last evening. thanks for the gif*,: Fiela-Marshal Montgomery said tha rug would be most useful, as duriM' . his tour he was experiencing extrenMfE of climate. He referred to the gift . of woollen underwear he had receive® at Dunedin, and added: “I’m weariM ; Them now. They’re pink.”