King Bhumibol’s Reply

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29905, 20 August 1962, Page 10

King Bhumibol’s Reply

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, Aug. 18. “We regard all New Zealanders as our friends, and in making this visit we feel that we are visiting friends whose friendship we highly value," King Bhumibol, of Thailand, said when replying to Lord Cobham's speech of welcome at Wellington Airport this afternoon Expressing his and Queen Sinkifs deep appreciation at the Governor-General's greeting, His Majesty said: "The friendly sentiment which the people here have expressed in our regard is most gratifying. We want to express to your Excellency, and through you to the people of New Zealand, our heartfelt thanks.” The King said: “We have long heard of the beauty of New Zealand and of the high standard attained by the great people of this country And in spite of the troubles brewing in various parts of the world, they continue their forward march surely and steadily Hence when your Excellency invited us to visit this country. w e gladly accepted your kind invitation “We are looking forward to seeing with our own eyes the remarkable achievements made here, and we hope to be able to learn something and profit by our experience “It is certainly true that it is only in recent years that the current of world events has brought our two countries into such close and friendly association. Our two nations, however, are animated by the S’me ideal—the love of freedom and fair play These are the two main factors that are being more and more emphasised in the sphere of international relations. “It is no wonder, therefore, that when world events brought our countries more closely together, the similarity of outlook created

mutual attraction. We firmly believe in the dignity of man and in justice in all human dealings. ‘lt was for this reason that both our countries became members of the United Nations as well as the Southeast Asia Treaty Organisation. “The modern development in the means of communications has shortened the distances of the world. The policy of splendid isolation is a thing of the past People come to realise that nations are interdependent and that community of interests demands mutual co-operation and concerted action. “Both our countries are fully conscious of this. We

appreciate the active part pjayed by New Zealand in the Colombo Plan and the many contributions she had made for the advancement of our region of the world in the economic and educational fields “Your reaction to the recent events .in Laos has further proved our identity of purpose in the joint defence of South-east Asia. Indeed, we can say with truth and without hesitation that our two peoples share the same aspirations, that they are bound by various ties of common interest and that the relations between them are marked by mutual regard and esteem,” His Majesty said.