PRIDE IN DOMINION

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 149, 27 June 1938, Page 18

PRIDE IN DOMINION

HIGH COMMISSIONER

THE BUILDING OF THE

EMPIRE

(From "The Post's" Representative.) LONDON, May 25.

An interesting experience for the High Commissioner for New Zealand, Mr. W. J. Jordan, and Mrs. Jordan, on Empire Day was to attend a luncheon in the crypt of the ancient Guildhall, Queen Victoria's favourite "diningroom" when she visited the City. It is | one of the few sections of the Guildhall which was not affected by the Great Fire in 1666. It has been well preserved and altered very little in appearance during the centuries. Its gloomy arches are lighted by electricity, but there is no other attempt at modernity. Other New Zealanders present were Mr. and Mrs. A. T. Pycroft, of Auckland, and it was mentioned by Mr. F. H. Dutton, chairman of the Elementary Education Committee of the Corporation of London, that Mr. Pycroft's ancestors had been associated with the City of London in 1730 as members of the Portsoken Ward. Mr. Dutton said that he too was linked with the Dominion since, in 18S5, an uncle had gone to New Zealand, and his descendants were well-known to the High Commissioner. Mr. Jordan proposed the toast of "The Lord Mayor, the Sheriffs, and the Corporation of London." He acknowledged the honour paid through him to the Dominion, and said: — "New Zealand is prosperous, her finances are buoyant,'and her people are thankful for the way in which Britain has helped them. Whatever is invested in the Dominion is well placed, and she is willing to meet her obligations at all times. New Zealand gives way to no country, not even Britain, in her affection for their ; Sovereign and the British form of ; Government."

Representatives of the Dominions always appreciated the kindly reception given them by the -Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress when they visited London, Mr. Jordan continued. New Zealand was especially proud of the fact that the present Lord Mayor, Sir

Harry Twyford, had, for a time, lived in New Zealand, and with the other Dominions was equally proud that Lady Twyford was an Australian.

Sir Harry had not emulated a famous I predecessor, Dick Whittington, who set out to seek adventure, and after, travelling four miles turned back. That was not the spirit by which the Empire had been built! Sir Harry had gone overseas in the same way as Lady Twyford's family, deterred by no ringing of bells, and had helped to lay the foundations of Empire. "THE FINEST COUNTRY." "I back up every word you have said about New Zealand," the Lord Mayor assured Mr. Jordan when replying to the toast, for what, he declared, was the five hundredth time since he had taken office! "I have said it before, and I say it again, that if I were a young man starting out in life today, I would go to New Zealand by the next boat. ■ It is the' finest country in the world bar none, and one of the most loyal Dominions in the Empire."

Previously, Mr. Jordan had addressed 1000 schoolchildren from the various wards of the City of London. They were gathered in the Guildhall, where they listened to the Lord Mayor, and sent a message of good will to their "brothers and sisters across the- sea" throughout the Empire.

Mr. Jordan told them of the work of the pioneers in New Zealand, who were not another stock, but their own kith and kin, and added: "It is not altogether the great and famous people who have built up the Empire, It has been the ordinary persons of ordinary stock, with their self-respect and honesty. They have not all been St. Georges. We cannot always be fighting dragons, but there is plenty of good | to be done in every-day life."

The High Commissioner also declared that the generation of today was every bit as good as the generations of the past. It would stand up to the test when it came.

He extended greetings to the children on behalf of the Manakau School, Auckland.

Mrs. Jordan and Miss Twyford were presented with silver gilt medals by Mr. Dutton. At night Mr. and Mrs. Jordan attended the Empire Day banquet of the Empire Societies at which the Duke of Kent was the chief guest.