POPULAR PERSONALITY

Evening Star, Issue 25698, 23 January 1946, Page 9

POPULAR PERSONALITY

MR JORDAN'S VISIT WARM WELCOME FROM LABOUR PARTY An enthusiastic welcome was extended to the High Commissioner for New Zealand in London (the Rt. Hon. W. J. Jordan) by members of the Labour Party last night. Several speakers paid tribute to Mr Jordan's notable work, particularly during the war years, in London and as a stalwart of the Labour Party in New Zealand. Mr H. Brown, president of the Otago Labour (Representation Committee presided. The Chairman briefly traversed Mr Jordan's political career, referring to the arduous tasks carried out by him and staff at New Zealand House under almost impossible conditions during the vears of war. To the thousands of servicemen and women with whom he came m contact, Mr Jordan was known affectionately as "Uncle. Bill." All sections with whom he was associated —service personnel, visitors to Britain, and London business circles —had nothing but praise for Mr and Mrs Jordan and the manner in which they had performed their duties u England. This had been becaust of the broad, benevolent nature of the High Commissioner. There had been many definitions of the qualities of greatness and goodness, but Mr Jordan, m carrying out the duties of irs high office, had epitomised the spirit of both. On behalf of the Otago Trades Council. Mr L. F. Evans said that only a person with broad ideals and diplomatic vision, such ae Mr Jordan un-

doubtedly had, could have fulfilled his mission to Britain. As a result of his famous stand at the League of Nations in Geneva he had placed the name of New Zealand in an enviable position before the world. Mr P. 6. Connolly j M.P., referred to Mr Jordan as having male a lifetime's struggle in the 'interest; of the common man. Mr Conuoily 'i ssed the wish that there had been more of Mr Jordan's type at ; sdiW"ii who. lie had taken his stand. Had that been so, the speaker did apt think _ that the world would have *'een subjected to the troubles of the last six years Among the servicemen from the dominions who were in England ho had been known'as the most popular High Commissioner then in ton-lon. \Mr Connolly referred to the service d Mrs Jordan, whose work throug.loat, and particularly during the wnr vears. had been of a most self-sacrificing type. During the evening items were presented by Miss Fay Heasley, Miss Noeline Moody, and Messrs A. Spears and L. Dunbar.