STATE CELEBRATION

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 283, 26 August 1944, Page 6

STATE CELEBRATION

Tributes To Resurgent France In celebration of the progress of the United Nations on the fighting fronts and in particular to honour a resurgent France, a gathering of both Houses of the Legislature,’ the diplomatic representatives of the Allied Nations and representative citizens assembled in the Cabinet room at Parliament .House at noon yesterday at the invitation of the Prime Minister, Mr. Fraser. After the Loyal Toast had .been honoured and a verse of the National Anthem sung, Mr. Fraser proposed the toast of the United Nations, with which he associated particularly the name of M, de la Tribouille, delegate in New Zealand of the French Committee of National Liberation. Mr. Fraser said that New Zealand had always been a friend and neighbour of France in the Pacific and had shared with the people of France their distress in their calamities.. When France was overrun by the Nazis thousands of Frenchmen, rather than breathe the air of oppression, had taken, the opportunity of re-forming on foreign soil so that they might continue the fight against the enemy. They had waited for the day when once more they, could, on their own soil, raise the Tricolour and unsheath the sword of liberty. Now, their waiting, their endurance, and their suffering were on the way to termination. Though they rejoiced at the progress that had been made, continued Mr. Fra.ser, it was not victory—victory would come only when Berlin and Tokio were reached and occupied. (Applause.) The effect of the great progress that had been made should be a realization- of the tasks that still lay ahead. The Prime Minister’s sentiments were endorsed by the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Holland, who said the people of New Zealand had the greatest admiration for the French people and sympathy for their cause. Anything New Zealand could do would be readily done to ensure that France rose again and took her proper place in the community of nations. The Hon. E. T. Tirikatene spoke on behalf of the Maori people, assuring, the representatives of the United Nations that whenever the pakeha had his back to the wall the Maori would be in the front line. Warm appreciation of the tributes paid to his country was expressed by M. de la Tribouille. He said that today was a great day for France, because the real spirit of Paris and of France was clearly manifest. The soldiers of France and the men of the Maquis were today fighting not only for their freedom, but also for international freedom. There were also many Frenchmen in Indo-China and they, too, were waiting for their liberation.

The United States Minister in New Zealand, Mr. K. S. Patton, expressed the conviction that the co-operation shown by the United Nations would continue after the war so as to create a world of happiness and prosperity. His first rears abroad were as a student in Paris, and his first assignment in the American Foreign Service was as an officer at the Consulate-General in Marseilles.' It was therefore with deep emotion that he had heard the news of the great successes achieved in France. After addressing a few words in French to M. de la Troubouille, Mr. Patton shook him warmly by the hand. Other speakers were Sir Harry Batterbee (United Kingdom), Dr. W. A. Riddell (Canada). Mr. D’Alton (Australia). and the Bishop of Wellington, the Rt. Rev. H. St. Barbe Holland.

Mr. Fraser asked M. de la Tribouille to convey to General tie Gaulle. General Koenig, and the members of the French forces and the Maquis. New Zealand’s congratulations on the steps taken to liberate France, and New Zealand’s best wisher for the earliest possible re-estab-lishment of the French Republic. Mr. Fraser also expressed the hope that it would not be long before _ New Zealand was able to celebrate the liberation of Belgium and Holland, and Hie raising of the Dutch flag over Batavia. Cheers were given for the United Nations. for the New Zealand Forces, and for France.