EMPIRE SERVICE

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 102, 24 January 1940, Page 11

EMPIRE SERVICE

Distinguished Guests Honoured CALL OF MOTHERLAND Fight Against Forces Of Evil The gallant part already played by New Zealand in the present war was mentioned by the Marquess o Willingdon at a State luncheon yesterday in honour of the representatives of the United Kingdom and Australian Governments at the centennial celebrations. The function, over which the Deputy-Prime Minister, Mr. Fraser, presided, was attended by a distinguished gathering which included Ministers of the Crown, members of 'both Houses ot the Legislature, representatives ot the judiciary, the armed forces State departments, industry and trade, the professions and the Church. The visitors were accorded an enthusiastic reception.

After the loyal toast had been honoured, that of the guests—the Marques* and Marchioness of Willingdon and Senator P. A. M. Mcßride and Miw McBride—was proposed by Mr. I’raser. New Zealand, he said, arrived at its centennial with the goodwill of every part of the British Commonwealth ot N Referring to Lord Williugdon’s distinguished service to the Empire, Mi. Fraser said that His Lordships many offices Included that of Warden of the Cinque Ports, a position previously heia by the Duke of Wellington, after whom the Dominion’s capital was named, to very few public men bad fallen the honour of serving his country in so maay responsible positions. New Zealan welcomed Lord and Lady Willingdon very cordially.

Friends of New Zealand.

Both Lord and Lady Willingdon were not making their first visit to New Zealand, but though they had been strangers to many New Zealanders on their present trip, they had speedily shown that they were sincere friend*, of New Zealand. They came to New Zealand representing the British Goveminent at it time when it was more necessary than ever that the various nations of the British Commonwealth should feel their interdependence in defending the principles and institutions that they all held dear. In extending a welcome also to Senator and Mrs. Mcßride, Mr. Eraser referred to the advantages that would accrue from the transtasmau air service, which it was hoped would soon be an accomplished fact. He stressed also the benefit to be gained from personal contacts by Ministers in the settlement of trade and allied difficulties. He hoped that in the days to come Australia and New Zealand would thus be able to co-operate much more closely for their mutual benefit. He paid warm tribute to the qualities of the Maori race and the part it had played in t e development of New Zealand. Whatever mistakes had been made in the past they could look back on the past 100 years with pride from the point ot view of both Maori and pakeha. Mr. Fraser said that 100 years ago Samuel Marsden had written: “On Sunday morning I saw the English flag, flying, which was a pleasing sight in New Zealand. I considered it was the signal and dawn of civilization, liberty and religion, and never viewed the English colours with more gratification.” In Marsden’s breast, as in the breast ot many others, said Mr. Fraser, the fact that this country had become a British colony had raised the highest hopes for the future. Nothing was too mueh at the present time to ensure that democracy was triumphant and tyranny dethroned.

Lord Willingdon’s Reply. Loud and prolonged applause ivas given when Lord Willingdon rose to speak. He said he wished to express grateful thanks to the Prime Minister and the Government of New Zealand for their invitation to him to come here as the representative of Great Britain at the centennial celebrations. He was proud to be here as that representative and give the people of this country the warmest greetings from the Government of the United Kingdom and his fellow countrymen and to wish them every success with their centennial celebrations and in their future lives. Lord Willingdon said that his wife and himself had seen something of the great development of Wellington since thev were last here. It was astonishing to them who remembered quite well the condition of the roads. There were no motor-cars in those days, and they had had to drive by stage coach from Rotorua to Wanganui and then on to wellington. He congratulated those responsible for the admirable organization of the Centennial Exhibition, and commended the general effect of that enterprise. He had also been tremendously impressed with the previous day’s ceremony at Petone beach. Everywhere, said Lord Willingdon, they had been received with the greatest" kindness and consideration by all classes of people. They would go home feeling that the visit to New Zealand had been well worth while. He bad started his Empire service in Australia and New Zealand, and began to get his idea of love of Empire service in those two countries over 45 years ago. When he received the invitation to New Zealand lie felt that it was not only a privilege but bis duty to accept, it, and to show that spirit of co-operation that existed between the Dominion and tne Motherland.

Call of Motherland. The thrill of Empire service came to his mind when it went back to the four years of the Great War, when He wus in India as Governor of Bombay, and he thought of the magnificent response of tire whole of the Commonwealth of Nations to the call of the Old Country. The last 25 years had been years of constant unrest, unsettlement and anxiety. He thought no man in the world had made more heroic efforts than the Prime Minister of England, but lie found he could put no trust in Hie'assurances of Hitler, and now once again the Empire was plunged into what lie hoped would not be a groat war. Once again he was thrilled and delighted at the response of the Common wealth of Nations to the call of the Motherland in its hour of need. “We, along with France, are standing solidly to fight the forces of evil.” said U>rd Willingdon. “We are lighting for no material advantage, but to get peace and goodwill in the civilized world. Me are fighting for civilization against barbarism, we are fighting fol freedom and liberty against Hie Tide of force, we are light mg to

secure the safety and security of our homes, and above all we are fighting for Christianity against godlessness —against a country, which, through its rulers, has no religious beliefs at all. ... I am perfectly confident that any country that gets rid of religion as the . ■anchor base of its existence is bound ultimately to fail.” Graf iSpee Action. New Zealand, Lord Willingdon continued, had played a gallant part in the present struggle, which had sc far been mainly on the sea and in the air. It was an epic victory that had been won over the Graf Spec, and the Achilles, with a great number of Neu Zealand men aboard, had a great share in securing that victory. He was lunching with Lord Chatfield, the great Admiral, the day before leavinf for New Zealand, and had asked bin what he thought of this partlculai battle. Lord Chatfield had repliec that he thought it was one of the ver.

finest incidents in the history of the British Navy. He had also asked Lord Chatfield what he would have done had he been captain of the Graf Spec, and his Lordship had replied that he would not have gone into harbour. That, said Lord Willington, was the psychological difference between the British and German race that would bring us through this war, “The Old Country is doing its full part in this war and never have I seen such complete unanimity and determination by all classes to see the war through, said Lord Willingdon. ‘ I have never seen the principle of compulsory service so readily accepted by almost, every individual party in our country. When 1 return to the Old Country I shall tell my friends that New Zealand, as ever before, is sound and solid for helping the British Empire and that it is absolutely determined to make victory secure for the Allies, and, after this war is over, to brinjj pence mid contentment in the world.” Personal Contacts. Senator Mcßride thanked the New Zealand Government for the invitation extended to the Prime Minister of Australia, Mr. Menzies, to visit the Centennial celebrations. Mr. Menzies, who bad asked him to express his deepest regret for his inability to visit, the Domillion at the present time, hoped to make a visit in the near future. Mi. Mcßride referred to the value of personal contacts between Ministers o the two countries. He congratulate Now Zealand on reaching its Centennial, and on the development that had taken place In comparatively such a short time. Referring to the war effort m Australia he said that the Commonwealth had undertaken to make a substantial contribution in the way of munitions and equipment. Australia ladieicd that Great Britain and her Allies would emerge victorious, and already it, was planning so that men would be rehabilitated in industry at the earliest possible moment after peace.