NEW ZEALAND DAY

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 33, 8 February 1935, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND DAY

DINNER AT THE SAVOY

DISTINGUISHED GUESTS

.WARM TRIBUTES

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph— Copyright. LONDON, February 6. Sir James Parr, presiding at the New Zealand Society's dinner at the Savoy, in welcoming Mr.-J. H. Thomas and Mr. Walter Elliot, said in reference to the meat negotiations that the .latter's office was one of extreme difficulty and delicacy. No two men in the Cabinet carried a greater responsibility than Mr. Thomas and Mr. Elliot. Dominion representatives in the past year' had learned of the gravity of Mr. Elliot's problem.. "I hope," said Sir James, "that Mr. Thomas and Mr. Elliot.have come to learn that in carrying out a drastic policy against the Dominions they will not only nearly ruiri us who are Britain's best friends and customers, but irretrievably damage the development of the Empire, as the former constitutional , links between Britain and the Dominions have all gone, leaving only Kingship as a com-! mon bond. A mutually profitable trade between Britain and the Dominions is the best, cement to hold our strange commonwealth together. Negotiations are still continuing in the friendliest way." v ■".■;;:•'.. ■: ,■/

Toasting the Earl of Galway, , the chief guest, Sir James Parr recalled that the Earl's ancestors had; serveii. the House of Commons continuously from 1727 to 1802 and from'lß47 to 1885. -,••■ ,

The Earl of Galway, responding, suggested that one way to alleviate the farmer's difficulties ■ would be to counteract women's: slimming fashion by persuading them to eat more. He described his recent tour of the battlefields of France, from which he brought striking tributes to the' gallantry and devotion of the New Zealand troops, including especially a moving testimony from the Dean and Chapter of Amiens Cathedral. '■■■.;■

Lord Hewart. referring to" his mkrriage with Miss Stewart, claimed himself a New Zealander by adoption. His telegraphic address was now "Wanganui, London." He had accepted the Earl of Galway's invitation to New Zealand next year. •

Mr. Thomas, in a humorous speech, said that it was humbug for Lord Hewart. to declare that the Earl of Galway had invited him to New Zealand, when in fact a visit to New Zealand was a condition of his marriage. Several speakers paid a tribute to Lord Rutherford, New Zealand's greatest son.

The guests included Lords Jellicoe, Rutherford, and Liverpool, Admirals Chatfield. and Blake, Captain E.-.R; Drummo'nd, the new commander of the New Zealand Division, General Montgomery Massingberd, MajorGeneral Freyberg, Sir Davie Chadwick, Sir Frank Smith, and the Bishop of London. ' . ;