AN EPOCH-MAKING OFFICE

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 72, 17 December 1938, Page 10

AN EPOCH-MAKING OFFICE

First High Commissioner From Britain To N.Z.

TRIBUTES TO SIR HARRY BATTERBEE

By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—-Copyright.

LONDON, December 15,

Proposing the health of Sir Harry Batterbee, the newly-appointed British High Commissioner to New Zealand, at a luncheon of the Royal Empire Society, the Dominion Secretary, Mr. MacDonald, said that even in the light of recent criticism he would risk again being assailed. He would disclose that Sir Harry Batterbee played outrageously bad tennis, but added that that did not mar the office of a man of such outstanding personality, ability, doggedness, tact, knowledge, and understanding. He was an indefatigable worker at the Dominions Office, and they would be the poorer for his departure and New Zealand would be the gainer in x having him ns High Commissioner.

No strengthening of the ties between Britain and New Zealand was needed, said Mr. MacDonald, but if it were Sir Harry Batterbee was the man to do it. Sir Harry emphasized that, in these days of trial of democracy, the British Commonwealth of Nations represented democracy, writ large, and capable of solving all problems; for example, the Anglo-Eire agreement, in which he was very proud to have assisted. The High Commissioner for New Zealand, Mr. W. J. Jordan, who presided, raised a laugh by warning Sir Harry Batterbee that though he was an indefatigable worker, he would have to do his job in a 40-hour week. Mr. Jordan expressed New Zealand’s gratification at Sir Harry Batterbee’s historic appointment, for which Mr. MacDonald described him as carefully selected champagne of excellent vintage to launch an epoch-making office. Sir Harry and Lady Batterbee will sail for New Zealand on February 2 on the Rangitata.