COMMONWEALTH LINK

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 114, 9 February 1944, Page 3

COMMONWEALTH LINK

E.S.U. Women’s Welcome For Mrs. D’Alton

Mure than 50 members of the English Speaking Union met «t morning tea yesterday in Wellington to welcome Mrs. J_. G. D'Alton, wife of the newly appointee. Australian High Commissioner in 2<cw Zealand. Mrs. E. D. Good, chairman, said she took special pleasure in welcoming Mrs. D’Alton to these shores. Since the war, mutual sorrows had brought Australia and New Zealand much closer. Oucc they had been known as "Australasia” but had tended to drift a little. "We feel sure that the appointment or Mr. D’Alton will bring us much closer together,” Mrs. Good added. Also greeted as special guests were Mrs. Fraser, wife’Of the Prime Minister. Eady Batterbee, wife of the High Commissioner for the United Kingdom, airs. IV A Biddell, wife of the High Commissioner for Canada, and other visitors from various centres, including a Hastings foundation member. It was to be hoped that Mrs. Fraser, as well as New Zealand, had benefited by' the .recent visit to Australia said Mrs. Good in a message which she asked Mrs, Fraser to give to the Prime Minister. . “I had a very hurried and a very pleasant trip,” stated Mrs. Fraser. The women of Australia were doing work similar to that being done by the women of New Zealand, though in her opinion, New Zealand women’s 'work was more comprehensive. 'She bad visited many camps where girls were stationed aud numerous Red Cross hospitals. One hospital she inspected accommodated 2000 beds and she hoped that a hospital of such size would never be required here. During one of these tours she met the former superintendent of the Wellington Public Hospital, Colonel Thorne, who said that if it were possible he would “come back to New Zealand tomorroy,” and she took that as a great compliment to New Zealand. She also met many E.S.U. members, who asked her to convey their good wishes to Dominion members. Deeper unity between the Commonwealth and the Dominion was advocated by the other speakers. “Australia and New Zealand should be closer. It’s time we got together, and time a move was made,” commented Mrs. D’Alton. Mrs. Riddell said that New Zealand airmen in Canada were increasing their Dominion’s popularity. “They are, in fact, too popular,” she concluded, “they are marrying too many of'our Canadian girls.” Before tea was served members stood to repeat the union “creed” for the first, time this year. Jars of mauve-toned hydrangeas were set about the room and made attractive table decorations.

Forthcoming Garden Fete.

A garden fete in the grounds of Mrs. Vivian Riddiford’s hoine, Woburn Road, Dower Hutt, is being planned for February 19. This event is held in connexion with St. James’s parish, and every year proves it a pleasant afternoon in the open air. This year the new High Commissioner for Australia, Mr. T. G. D’Alton, is to perform the opening ceremony and, given a fine day, the well-stock-ed stalls, the dancing, music and games, and the opportunity to meet friends in very pleasant surroundings should be a great attraction.