"OUR GOOD FRIENDS"

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 25, 30 January 1923, Page 8

"OUR GOOD FRIENDS"

FRENCHMAN'S TRIBUTE TO NEW ZEALAND. '

Members-of the French Mission -were the guests of the Rotary Club at luncheon to-day. M. Petrequin was the chief speaker, and he confined his remarks to returning thanks to the New Zealand people, through the club, which, he said, was representative of the whole community, 1 for the enthusiastic manner in which the mission had been received throughout the North Island.

The President (Mr. A. F. Roberts) said it would be much better if they had a greater interchange of views with their neighbours. He thought that New Zealand was too much out of the world, and did not see enough of the people who lived across the Channel from their Homeland. Apart from Great Britain, he was sure that' New. Zealand people would rather trade with France than with other countries, on account of their close aisociation during the war period. New Zealand people would never forget the kindnesses extended to their' sons by the French nation. (Applause.) M. Fetrequin said that it was his privilege to extend, on behalf of the mission, his thanks to the members of the club. The reception they had been given in New Zealand had been a most cordial one, and they were indebted to Mr. Collins, of the Board of Trade, for his assistance. . They had been much struck by the picturesque scenery of the country, and regretted that the shor> visit of two weeks did not enable them to go to the' South Island. New Zealand was a country to be proud of, and the French would always consider the New Zealanders their very good friends. If they had b^n successful in fostering greater trade between France and New Zealand, then their mission had been successful. Personally, he , would not be satisfied until he had. paid another visit to the Dominion. . .