Lee Kuan Yew at ease

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33814, 10 April 1975, Page 14

Lee Kuan Yew at ease

Christchurch was well known in Singapore and throughout South-East Asia as one of the most beautiful cities in the region, the Prime Minister of Singapore (Mr Lee Kuan Yew) said last evening.

He was speaking in the Limes Room at the Town Hall at a civic reception for him, which was attended by almost 200 representatives of territorial and ad hoc local bodies in greater Christchurch, local members of Parliament, church leaders, and members of the armed services.

"I wish to congratulate you on keeping the almost old world atmosphere in the

centre of your city,” said Mr Lee. “When I visited Christchurch 10 years ago, it struck me as being one of the most beautiful cities I have ever seen, particularly with the River Avon flowing languidly through the trees. Now I am back I find the city bigger but just as attractive,” he said. Mr Lee said Christchurch had no need of brochures to spread news of its attractions to South-East Asia, since these were widely known. “I am quite sure of that, and I am quite sure that in these days of mass travel by air Christchurch will take more than its share of the tourist trade to this region. “The only question I would ask if I was a New Zealander would be ‘ls it all a good thing’,” said Mr Lee.

He was welcomed to Christchurch by the Mayor (Mr H. G. Hay) and spent more than an hour talking informally with groups of guests.

The reception proved that even on holiday Prime Ministers cannot escape completely the formalities and cares of office. But Mr Lee certainly comes closer than most. He has made it very clear that his trip to New Zealand is for rest and recreation and most of his days are free of official engagements, -last evening’s function being the only formal one until a dinner next Tuesday night. He rose late at his Christchurch hotel yesterday and spent the rest of the morning watching dog trials at the Darfield property of Mr R. Wilson. He returned to the city for lunch and during the afternoon played nine holes of golf at Shirley before attending the civic reception. Mr Lee, his wife and daughter will fly to Queenstown tomorrow for a threeday visit and will leave New Zealand next Wednesday.