THE FRENCH SOLDIERS

Evening Post, Volume XCIV, Issue 30, 4 August 1917, Page 8

THE FRENCH SOLDIERS

ENTERTAINED BY THE MAYOR,

A very pleasant gathering took place at Godber's llcoms, Courlenay-place, yesterday evening, when the French soldiers wore the guests of the Mayor of Wellington (Mr. J. P. Luke, C.M.G.). The soldiers; who were accompanied by Captain Gentry, of the Defence Department, appeared to enjoy themselves thoroughly, and entered with zest into the spirit of the proceedings. Among other guests of the evening were city councillors, executive officers of the council, representatives of the French Club, and other leading citizens. The following joint motion was carried amid hearty applause :— "The mutual affection and brotherly love our two great nations have shown towards each other during the whole course of this great war form a precious pledge of the future and permanent good relations of the French and British peoples. Betimes in the past, false friends and cunning foes have sought to put between us, sowing the seeds of distrust and suspicion; but now they' stand unmasked, and their knavish plans have come to naught. Be it therefore resolved that we, the representatives of France and Great Britain and her Dominions here assembled, solemnly pledge ourselves, each and every one of us, to do whatever in us lies to promote and protect the most profound and sincere friendship between our nations, not only to the victorious end of this superhuman struggle, in which the richest blood of France and Britain freely mingles on the common field of battle, but ■ even when justice, humanity, and freedom hay,« finally triumphed and smiling peace once more pervades the earth, that our united . nations may remain their joint champions and defenders." Speeches in the tono adopted in this motion ..were mads by the Mayor, Messrs. J. Macintosh (French Consul), John Hutcheson, Cook, Bendall, and Captain Barclay (French Club). The musical, and elocutionary items were provided by Messrs. Norman Aitken, iA. Eussell, Marcus Marks, M. Carr, and H. C. W. Blick (pianist). . The Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) has received from His Excellency the Gover-nor-General a letter, conveying the appreciation of the French Vice-Consul at Auckland (M. Hippeau) of the sympathetic consideration and manifestations of goodwill shown by. the people of New Zealand to the French soldiers who have returned from the war, on the occasion of the French National' Fete Day. M. Hippeau has asked that His Excellency should convey to the Mayor and citizens of Wellington an expression of his, profound gratitude for the cordiality and courtesy shown to bis compatriots by the municipality on that occasion.