NEW P.M. WELCOMED

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33095, 9 December 1972, Page 1

NEW P.M. WELCOMED

ProVided all New Zealanders worked together and pulled in the same direction, there were endless opportunities in New Zealand for great progress to be made—and he was sure this was the desire of everyone in the country, said the Prime Minister (Mr Kirk) in Christchurch last evening. About 300 gathered at Christchurch Airport last evening to greet the new Prime Minister and Mrs Kirk. When.they left the aircraft, which arrived half an hour late after leaving late from Wellington, Mr and Mrs Kirk were met by the Mayor of Christchurch (Mr N. G. Pickering) and Mrs Pickering, and the regional manager of the National Airways Corporation (Mr J. E. Davies). As the official party walked towards the dais outside the terminal buildings, the crowd

broke into applause, and representatives of the Maori community chanted cries of welcome.

Mrs Kirk was presented with a bouquet by Mr and Mrs Pickering’s young daughter, Alexia, and a haka party sang a welcome. A traditional greeting was also given by the leader of the Maori people in Christchurch, Mr K. Hopa.

Many of those waiting to welcome Mr and Mrs Kirk were Labour Party supporters who had been associated with Mr Kirk for a very long time, “and we have dreamed of the day when you would become Prime Minister,” Mr Pickering said. "We are also pleased that you are the first South Islander to be a Labour Prime Minister,” he said. “Great country’” Mr Kirk thanked Mr Pickering and the crowd for their welcome: “We are proud of our country, we are proud of our city, we are proud of our island. “This country is a great

country, and we will make great progress together providing we work together, that we unite, that we remove those things that divide us,” Mr Kirk said. “I cannot say today what is in my heart. I am moved very much to be coming back to this city and to be greeted by you all, and for my wife and myself to be given the honour of this reception at the airport,” Mr Kirk said. After the official welcome. Mr and Mrs Kirk both spent many minutes walking through the crowd, shaking hands and chatting to young and old. The official party then moved to the airport restaurant, for a short function.