THE DIGGERS’ FRIEND

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 172, 9 April 1923, Page 8

THE DIGGERS’ FRIEND

RECEPTION TO MISS LILY BUTLER. Miss Lily Butler, C.8.E., . the “mother of the Corner of Blighty” in . Paris during the war period, was honoured with a civic reception on Satur<lav morning. The Mayor (Mr. R. A. Wneflit. M.P.) referred to the very excellent work Miss Butler performed for tho “Diggers” in Paris. He also commended the object of her tour through Australia and New Zealand, during which she intends to deliver lectures of special interest to the young women and children. He assured her the soldiers of the N.Z.E.F. would l° n! ~ remember her work on their behalf during the war years, and it gave him great pleasure to extend to her a hearty welcome on their behalf to New Zealand. Speaking for the returned soldiers, Colonel Hall referred to the greaF influence for good exercised upon the British troops in Paris who frequented the "Corner of Blighty.” Every consideration was shown at the institution for the man who was doing his war job, and do general or officer received. greater attention than the private soldier. The fact that general Headquarters did not see fit to provide any further means of entertainment tor British soldiers in Paris than was afforded at the “Corner of Blightv” was one of the greatest tributes 'that could have been paid to Miss Butler and her staff. Councillor A. W. Pyrton voiced a welcome on bJhalf of the City Council and Mr. Harrison, general secretary of the N.Z.R.S.A., expressed the hope that Miss Butler would always retain her love for t'he “boys” of New Zealand. . , In reply, Miss Butler spoke ot the open and always hearty welcome she had received from the “Diffgers m Australia and New Zealand. five years after she had known them in France. From the bottom of lier heart she loved New Zealand as much as she had learned to love its soldiers during the war. She paid a tribute to the men of the Piew ZeStann forces t<y remarking that they, were tho best-behaved troops in Paris.