THANKS OF N.Z.

Evening Post, Volume CXXXII, Issue 3, 3 July 1941, Page 7

THANKS OF N.Z.

DUTCH HOSPITAL SHIR

'CERER/lONY IN SYDNEY

MESSAGE READ

Oh the occasion'of the handing over at Sydney' on Saturday of the Netherlands hospital ship Orarije to Australia and New Zealand, the Acting Prime Minister. (Mr. Nasfa) sent a message, which was read at the ceremony, expressing regret that it had not been possible at short notice to arrange for a member of the Government to be present and.conveying greetings, good will, and gratitude to the Government and people of the Netherlands for their splendid gesture. ,

• The spontaneous generosity which lay behind the gift of the ship, stated the message, added still further to the sincere admiration* of the New Zealand people for the gallant people of the Netherlands, whose courage and tenacity in the face of adversity were such an inspiration to all freedomloving peoples. "No nation," the message continued "is indeed more worthy of the right to freedom, and none is more fitted to enjoy the liberties for which the peoples of the" Netherlands throughout the centuries have fought so sternly and maintained in a manner which, has won the respect of the civilised world. It is gratifying to know that New Zealand men and women are taking their place on board this ship alongside their professional colleagues from the Netherlands East Indies and Australia, and it is certain that rio common enterprise could do more to sustain the happy and close I relations existing between the peoples, of the three countries. AN ENDURING BOND. "Events have brought us closer together than ever before, and this humanitarian enterprise will set the seal upon the bond of friendship that will endure so long as there are New Zealand people and people of the Netherlands. We have set our hand to a task ' from which there is no turning back. Indeed, there is nothing but determination to go forward whatever the odds. In unity of purpose and exaltation of spirit we will continue as allies till victory is won. That is the will of the peoples of the Netherlands and the British Commonwealth of Nations, and we need have no doubt that victory will eventually v be ours. To those who have made the Oranje available to us, to all those who have been engaged in tKe vessel's fitting out, and all who serve in her and who will tend our sick and wounded, we extend our deep *jand heartfelt thanks." IMPRESSIVE CEREMONY. Mr. Nash said last night that he had ;feeeh advised that the ceremony was. Very successful and impressive.. "The Netherlands authorities," he added, ''have cabled their thanks for the message from the Government, and we have also received through the Apting Netherlands Consul in Wellington, ,M.! Vigeveho, a-message from the Netherlands Indian authorities connected with the hospital ship, expressing their appreciation of the assist-1 ance and co-operation by the New! Zealand Government » and »others, and recording their satisfaction at I the . choice of the Dominion representatives and nursing unit on board the vessel."

New Zealand was represented at the ceremony by the Trade Commissioner (Mr. W. Taylor), who read the message.