FRANCE'S TRIBUTE

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 23, 27 January 1923, Page 11

FRANCE'S TRIBUTE

(TO NEW ZEALAND'S DEADj BRONZE MEMORIAL PALM PRESENTED BY ADMIRAL GfLLY. A short, touching, .and unique ceremony in the history of New Zealand, took place on the steps in front of Parliament Buildings yesterday afternoon, .when Rear-Admiral Gflly, head of the French Mission, presented to the Prime Minister (Rt. Hon. W,- F. Massey) a large bronze palm from the President and people of France to memorialise the deeds of New Zealand's soldiers in the.Great War. Participating in the' ceremony was a detachment of sailors from the. French cruiser Jules Michelet.. The naval party, under arms, headed by the ship's buglers and band, and with the Tricolour of the Kepublic floating in the breeze, marched through the main streets of the city to the Parliamentary grounds, and provided a fine display, which was only marred by the inclement weather; Fortunately, the rain held off during the time the speephes were being made and while the naval ceremonial incidental to the occasion was being performed. Great crowds assembled in the streets to watch the Frenchmen march by, and, despite the weather, some thousands .gathered in the Parliamentary grounds and the vicinity to witness the proceedings. On the arrival of the sailors in front of the Parliamentary steps they were formed up into three ranks with the Colours and Colour-guard in the centre. Shortly before 3 p.m., the Prime Minister, accompanied by Rear-Admiral Gilly, the officers of the Jules Michelet, and the members of the Mission, as well as members* of the Government and New Zealand naval and military staffs, appeared at the head of the steps, and the naval detachment -with fixed -bayonets gave the General Salute to the accompaniment of band and drums. This was a most inspiriting spectacle. The Prime Minister, with Rear-Admiral Gilly and his officers, then inspected the detachment, the band of the, cruiser meanwhile playing ap- ■ propriate music. The presentation ceremony followed the inspection. , ADMIRAL GILLY'S SPEECH. "On behalf of the President of the French Republic," said Rear-Admiral Gilly, "I bring to-day to the people of New Zealand this palm, as a symbol of indestructible remembrance, to celebrate the memory of the heroic children of New Zealand who fought in the Great War, and made the supreme sacrifice. I am proud to fulfil this mission, which moves me deeply. It reminds me that , 100,000' sons of New Zealand went, in a magnificent body, to defend on the far away battlefields their ideal of justice, liberty, and civilisation. Seventeen thousand of them have sealed with their blood, mixed with the blood 'of the French soldiers, the bonds of unalterable' fraternity which tie our two countries. France will never forget it. Gentlemen, I propose that we should keep a minute silent as a token of respect and admiration for the .glorious memories of our dead." As Admiral Gilly concluded his speech he asked all present to\ remove their head-dress and to stand in silence for v fou- moments as a mark of respect to the glorious memory of the illustrious dead. Following this touching tribut« to the fallen, the National Anthem was played by the French band, and. Mr. Massey then returned thanks for the gift. PRIDE AND APPBECIATION. Mr. Massey said he accepted the memorial palm with a great deal ■•>- ---pride and appreciation, and with thankfulness. He received it on behalf c? the people pf New Zealand in the spirit in which it was handed over. The palm was intended to commemorate those sons of ours who made the supreme sacrifice for liberty and freedom, and their names would never be forgotten so long as the world lasted. It was true that they had given their lives in a foreign country, but it was in a country of and allies, and their 1 bones would be safe for many generations to come. Mr. Maseey here reminded his hearers of the fact that France had "given a title in perpetuity to the land in which all British soldiers were buried.-. He again thanked Admiral Gilly for the palm, and said he was only sorry that there was as yet no permanent building in which to store it. In Paris there was the Arc de Triomphe to celebrate tie memory and the deeds of French soldiers in past wars, and any New Zealand memorial of the future would serve the same purpose, remaining for generations as a reminder of the sacrifices made by New Zealand's soldiers when called upon to do their duty: All present stood to the salute when the band struck up the "Marseillaise,'" and afterwards, at the call of the Prime Minister, three rousing cheers were given for the Frerich guests. . The ceremony concluded with a march past by the French naval detachment, the Prime Minister taking the salute at the foot of the Parliamentary steps. Hearty applause was accorded the bluejackets for their smart sailor-like 'bearing as they swung past the saluting base. The detachments, which had marched to the ceremony with bayonets unfixed, marched away again with, them fixed, and crowds once more lined the routt to see the parade. ' ,