OFFICIAL FAREWELL IN LONDON

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 124, 19 February 1941, Page 10

OFFICIAL FAREWELL IN LONDON

Sir Cyril And Lady Newall

FULL OF ENTHUSIASM FOR NEW POST

Sir Cyril and Lady Newall were accorded an official farewell by the New Zealand Society at u luncheon at the Savoy Hotel. London, on December 12Sir Cyril said that it was not easy to leave* their native land under present conditions. "But we go full of enthusiasm and fully encouraged tor the great adventure ahead of its,” lie Said The luncheon was the occasion tot the biggest gathering of New Zealtinders in London since the outbreak of the war. Representatives of both Houses of Parliament and all the forces were present. Dit'd Cranborne represented the Dominions Office. Sir Cyril referred to the very great help and assistance that he ami Lady Newall had received from Mr. and Mrs. Jordan. No one, he said, could have been more helpful. They were always cheerful, full of fun. and practical. They had recently had the news that Mr. Jordan's son had become tt pilot officer in the Air Force. (Applause.) This was not the first occasion upon which he had been honoured by being invited to functions of the New Zealand Society, said Sir Cyril. Recently, on looking through piles of papers which he had kept as mementoes he had found two menus of New Zealand Society dinners. Dm* was for February 8. 1938. and the other for February f, 1939. On the second occasion, Sir Cyril recalled, he had mentioned the R.A.F. As a matter of tact, some very kind New Zealander had written to him only tin- other day recalling "hat he had actually said at that time. It was then the fashi said Sir Cyril, to say that everything was wrong in England, and that everything in our garden was rotten. At that dinner, however, he had ventured to say that the British were pretty good gardeners and looked over their seeds before they planted them. He had also said that if their seeds were allowed to grow and were not dug up till the time, that Britain would take a good many prizes. “I think that the lads of the R.A.F. have taken a good many prizes, too,” said Sir Cyril to loud applause. Special Dispensation. “I hope that when 1 return from New Zealand I may be permitted to become a member of the New Zealand Society,” said Sir Cyril to renewed applause. "Mrs. Jordan says that 1 will have to marry a New Zealander but. on that score, being already married, I ask for special dispensation.” (Laughter. I Sir Cyril said that he had, day oy day, been making the acquaintance of more and more New Zealanders. Tlie other day be went down to see the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, in this country. He saw them on the march, on parade, and in hospital units. "Among the gunners 1 saw one man who declared that he had been shooting all night long at damn all. and hitting it every time,” said Sir Cyril. When' the laughter died away, he added that such experience as he had had in his 37 years' association with the Forces had convinced him that the New Zealand troops were in magnificent fettle. Under the guidance of Brigadier J. Hargest, Sir Cyril continued, he had seen the Maori Battalion. They were a magnificent lot of men. They had sung their battalion song for him and given him a haka. "Never have 1 been more inspired,' said th-e Governor-General designate. "I also learned, when having lunch with Brigadier Hargest, that when speaking of New Zealand 1 should refer to the three islands, and not only to the two. (Laughter.)

"Our time for leaving our native land is approaching. Il is not easy to leave this country under conditions such as exist at present, but I will say that we have a very great consolation. We feel that we are going with your good wishes and friendship to that great country of yours, to spend live happy years there and to bring up our family there. We hope to be as useful to New Zealand as we are certain we shall enjoy ourselves. "While we are there with your kith and kin, we shall watch and help this country in its great struggle. We will see the British Empire and her allies advancing along the road to victory. We will see this foul pestilence overcome. we will see right overcome might, and Christianity overcome paganism. "We go full of enthusiasm, and fully encouraged for the great adventure ahead of us.” Mr. Jordan’s Tribute. Mr. Jordan said: "We New Zealand residents in Britain and our friends have gathered io meet you and to express our pleasure at your appointment to the position of GovernorGeneral of the Dominion, ll*e responsible and honourable office of the representative of His Majesty the King. "We can wish nothing greater than that, yon will represent, not only the person, but the spirit—aye, the devotion. sympathy find love which we know onr King has for the people of onr Empire. Our King shares with his people and we with him the joys and anxieties of our nations, as does Her .Majesty the Queen. Truly we have the King of our choice, just as we live under the laws of our making. "During the past hundred years men and women have left these shores and have gone to New Zealand, left all that they loved, have carved out homes for themselves in the bush, built roads and railways, developed farms, sent foodstuffs to this land when they were wanted, sent more and more until they were told that Britain would not take any greater quantity. "Some left Britain seeking greater opportunities—call it ambition, dissatisfaction: call it what,.you will. Some left with a grudge against conditions here, but never a , grudge against the Monarch. New Zealand Ims always welcomed a member ot the Royal House.

"A century ago our Maori people voluntarily and without conquest welcomed t'.-iplain Hobson, the represeiitalive of Queen Victoria, and now, after a century of British ride in that laud 12,11011 miles from the Homeland, a welcome awaits His Majesty or the one whom His Majesty has appointed lo represent him. -In that position, sir, you will be heartily welcomed by the people. Maori and' pakeha alike. You are one of ihe men lo whom our Empire is indebted.”

A scheme lo make sufficient water available in the Square and business areas fur tire-lighting purposes was mentioned by Ur. J. T. .1. Heatley, at a meeting of the I‘alinei'Slim North City Council' His suggestion is that one of the three mains in Eilzherberl Avenue should lie isolated, by I ransferrii'g tile household coiiixions lo the other two, and connected at Fitzlierberi Bridge with a pump able to lift water from the Maimwatu River. This river waler, he said, could be used fo:- tilling school baths. watering Ihe Square gardens, etc. The engineer. Mr .1 It. Hughes, was' asked lo report on ihe ••!< :i :in<! lh<* cost.