POLISH CHILDREN

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 103, 3 May 1945, Page 9

POLISH CHILDREN

TO VISIT N.Z. HOMES

NATIONAL GATHERING TONIGHT

The Acting Prime Minister (Mr. Nash), who was present at the concert given in the Wellington Town Hall last night by the Polish children from the Pahiatua camp, announced that 220 of the children would shortly enter the homes of New Zealand residents so that they could experience New Zealand conditions. "It is important that we should know and understand each other," said Mr. Nash. "The barrier of languages will then fall away, and the arrangement will be mutually beneficial." Mr. Nash paid a tribute to the Polish people's contribution to culture through the centuries. "I am proud to be here on behalf of the Government," he said, "and I know that it is the desire of the people of this country to show appreciation of Polish art, and, in return, establish fine and decent relations with the people of Poland." But for the disaster that had overtaken Poland, said Mr. Nash, it would not have been possible in the course of normal history for New Zealanders to have seen and heard such a programme of Polish dancing and singing as had been presented that evening by the children. New Zealanders were glad to have the children as their guests, and to learn something of the culture of a nation that had suffered so much and yet had preserved its ideals and traditions. Mr. Vincent Ward, M.L.C., spoke on behalf of the Wellington Patriotic Fund, and thanked the concert party for devoting the proceeds from last night's entertainment (also those obtained at the previous day's matinee) to the fund. The entertainment given was the same as that at the matinee on Wednesday. It opened with the historical tableau depicting the signing of the Polish Constitution on May 3, 1791, and with a Nativity play of unusual beauty. Poland's national day will be celebrated by the Association of Poles in New Zealand tonight, in association with the Friends of Poland Society, and the children from Pahiatua, at a patriotic gathering in the Trades Hall. A Polish film will be screened, and the children will present items. MASS CELEBRATED. A Special Mass in the Church of St. Mary of the Angels, Boulcott Street, to celebrate Polish National Day was attended by the Consul-General for Poland and the vice-consul, Dr. K. A. Wodzicki and Dr. Strzemienski, with representatives of other consulates in New Zealand, and the Minister of Supply (Mr. Sullivan) representing the New Zealand Government. His Grace Archbishop O'Shea was present in the sanctuary while the Mass was conducted by Dr. N. Gascoigne and the address delivered by the Rev. Father J. Riordan. The Polish Government delegate at the children's camp at Pahiatua, M. Jan Sledzinski, was also present, and the party of children at present visiting Wellington comprised the choir.