LORD AND LADY FREYBERG

Press, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 26812, 18 August 1952, Page 3

LORD AND LADY FREYBERG

Farewell Broadcast Addresses

ASSOCIATIONS WITH N.Z. REVIEWED “When this short farewell message is broadcast to. the people of New Zealand I shall have ceased to be the Governor-General, and with my wife, who is beside me here this evening, I will be returning home to -England after 13 years of continuous overseas service,” said Lord Frey berg, in a delayed broadcast address last evening. “During my term of office, we have travelled all over New Zealand and have met thousands of people. During the war years from first to last, nearly 90,000 young New Zealand men and women passed through our hands in the Middle East. I have close links, therefore, with a large number of you. I know also from association over the years that we have the same attitude towards many things and particularly to a life of adventure.

“From time to time I look back and think of these last years since the beginning of the second war. There have been many good moments, but some poignant ones also. One of the poignant moments I shall never forget—when I was taking the First Echelon by ship from Wellington on January 5, 1940, and leading the youth of New Zealand away to another world War. I felt what a tragedy it was and when I looked at these fine young men 1 had a lump in my throat. Six months later we were a counter-attack force for Dover in the Battle of Britain. We no longer had time for lumps in our throats. We were determined to stop the invasion of Britain or die in the attempt. Then came the Balkan campaign, followed by the dramas in the Western Desert and, finally, victory in Italy,, and through that .long six years, we took our part as a nation, and made our contribution, in which the courage and the high qualities of our gallant Maori people played an important part. “Looking back over the last six years we have spent in New Zealand—so very many memories crowd in upon us. We have, kept scrap books .and photographs to remind us of some of the happy * times we have had. This will help us to live over again some of our 'New Zealand life.

“Both my wife and I have precious abiding, memories of New Zealand — memories which will remain clear for us for all time. We will not say good : bye. God speed. And to our Maori friends, Kia ora katoa.” •

Lady Freyberg’s Speech “We have been away for a long time, and to be going home is a deeply happy event for most of us—especially if “home” means England and a return to family and old friends and the familiar settings of youth and earlier days.” said Lady Freyberg, “but when going home also means leaving New it is not so easy, for New Zealand has become a second home to us both, through my general’s boyhood and youth here, through his war-time service, in which it was my privilege also to have a small, but to me a very significant share, but most of all, through the generous friendship and kindness with which you have surrounded us, and which has never been given to us in more generous ways than during these last weeks. “I hardly think I need to tell you what you must know already—that we are leaving New Zealand with full hearts; hearts full of gratitude, oi emotion, and of pride. For it has brought us great happiness to share your life here during these six years, and to feel as time went on an ever stronger bond of friendship and of admiration for this dear country and for its people. “Looking back, I can honestly say that there seem to have been few days when the sun has not shone for us, and sunshine always brings joy. We shall think back longinglv of New Zealand sunshine and of the brilliant clear light of New Zealand skies. We shall miss the glorious abundance and variety of flowers which have given us so much joy. We shall miss the beautiful drives and walks through mountains and native bush, along those miles of unspoiled beaches, even lovelier when the pohutukawas are in flower. We shall miss the gay groups of smiling school children and the charming greetings from our Maori friends, who have grown very dear to

“A Special Interest” “One of my special interests has been my links with the women’s voluntary organisations,” said Lady Freyberg. “I have come to know something of the contributions that they are making towards a richer national life. I would like to take this chance of saying a wbrd of farewell and of good wishes to some of these friends of mine. First, to the Plunket Society, watching with so much skill and devotion over the dawn of most young New Zealand lives; and to my friends of the Order of St. John in the Brigade and the Voluntary Aid and splendid young cadet divisions. To the New Zealand branches of the great 'Red Cross family, V.A.’s, link cadets, and juniors—with all of whom I have had happy associations; to those two splendid country women’s groups, the Dominion Federation of Women’s Institutes and the Women’s Division of Federated Farmers, both of whom are doing «o much for the enrichment of country life. “My general and I are welcoming the prospect of our homeward journey and the weeks at sea, as giving us the leisure to think back over the chapters of our New Zealand story and to look ahead to what awaits us at home. Our thoughts will be much with you—thoughts of appreciation and of gratitude for all your kindness, and prayers for the happiness and the well being of your dear country, which we have grown to love so well. Our grateful remembrances will be our first thoughts, our second thoughts our heartfelt wishes for your happiness and success, and then, our thoughts of pride in New Zealand and in all that she has achieved, and a glimpse of the heights where her destiny may well lead her. I * cannot bring myself to say good-bye. I would rather say Godspeed. ( Thank you for so many things, and God bless you all.”

PLANE CIRCLES RANGITANE

FAKEWELL MESSAGE FROM R.N.Z.A.F.

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, August 17. A Catalina of the new flying-boat squadron. No. 6 (Maritime) Squadron, R.N.Z.A.F., circled the Rangitane for half an hour on Saturday while farewell messages were sent to Lord Freyberg. V.C., and Lady Freyberg, who are bound for England. . The flying-boat, which was captained by Squadron Leader R. L. Scott, the commanding officer, flew about 500 miles before the vessel was sighted. There were high seas, rain and a strong wind from 11.30 a.m. until midday. ■Hie messages from Air Vice-Marshal D. V. Carnegie, Chief of the Air Staff, and on behalf of the R.N.Z.A.F., were radioed to the ship. A territorial officer and two n.c.o. observers took part in the flight. The Catalina returned to the Hobsonville station at 4.5 p.m. after being in the air from 7.10 a.m.