PREMIER’S WELCOME

Evening Star, Issue 23817, 22 February 1941, Page 10

PREMIER’S WELCOME

VOICES A NATIONAL FEELING APT AND HAPPY CHOICE [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, February 22. The Right Hon. P. Fraser, extending a welcome on behalf of the Government and people, assured Sir Cyril and Lady Newali of their most earnest desire that their stay in New Zealand might be happy. They would find the people imuued with all the characteristics, the spirit, and the highest traditions of the British race, men and women who were inspired with a fervent wish to share to the full with their kinsfolk in the United Kingdom and.elsewhere in the task of defending their lives and liberties, and in preserving a Christian civilisation and the democratic way of life. Mr Fraser took the opportunity of stating that we appreciated more than words could tell the splendid and inspiring example of their Majesties the King and Queen, who were willingly and courageously sharing all the dangers to which the heroic people of Britain were exposed. Mr Fraser said New Zealand had embarked upon the war effort with a firm determination to strain every nerve and sinew and spare no sacrifice to make its contribution the fullest and most effective within its power. He assured His Excellency that we faced the future with no other feelings but those of full confidence in ultimate victorv. In this grave and critical hour it was a matter of great satisfaction that a Governor-General with so distinguished a record should have come to live in our midst. It was most appropriate in the present circumstances that the representative of the King should come from the armed services and from among the most conspicuous of those who had given such unstinted services to the Empire during the present conflict. “ We count ourselves singularly fortunate on this occasion that New Zealand should have as GovernorGeneral an airman of such exceptional experience, one whose profound knowledge of the problems of modern warfare in all its phases demands the very highest respect, and one whose achievement in building up the R.A.F. until it has become the finest in the world, commands, the undying gratitude of the British people,” said Mr Fraser. The Prime Minister said the welcome was extended on behalf of both races, Maori and pakeha, stressing how they were hound together in a common destiny and freely united once again in offering their blood in defence of democratic ideals.