HIGH COMMISSIONER

Greymouth Evening Star, 10 March 1939, Page 2

HIGH COMMISSIONER

SIR 11. BATTERBEE ARRIVES [PEH PRESS ASSOCIATION.] AUCKLAND, March 10. 'fall, well-built, and of easy manner. Sir Hurry Batterbee, the first High Commissioner representing the United Kingdom in New Zealand, made a pleasant impression on those who met him. on his arrival by the Rangitata, accompanied by his wife and niece. He recalled that ho was here with the special service squadron on H.M.S. Hood, and as a member of the staff of tile Duke and Duchess of York. He hoped to he. able to renew the friendships lit* made on those visit.

“The relations between New Zealand and Hie Mother Country are so good that my job ought Io be easy,” lie said, to an interviewer. “The job of Die High Commissioner is to interpret Hie view of one Government to those of the other. I. want, to meet all classes of workers, and to know Ihe people.” Sir Harry and Lady Batterbee, and their niece, Miss Biggar, were met on the Rangitata by Mr. Berensden, permanent head of the Prime Minister’s Department; Mr. Boyd Shannon, Sir Harry’s secretary, who has been in New Zealand for some weeks; and Captain Barnes, officer in charge of the Devonport naval base, who is honorary aide to Sir Harry, in New Zealand.

“Sea communications are the very life-blood of the British Empire, and all who contribute to the improvement of those communications are contributing to the advancement and progress of the Umpire.” said Sir Harry Batterbee, whe replying to welcomes extended to him on. behalf of the New Zealand Government and the Auckland Harbour Board, soon after his arrival.

The chairman of the Harbour Board (Mr. W. B. Darlow) said that to-day, more than ever, the need was felt of the closest and most-harmonious relations with the Motherland and all other units of the Empire. Sir Harry's appointment would assist and nourish that relationship, and it was felt that no more lilting person could have been sent. “We believe that your presence with us will not only add to the prestige of the Dominion, but also will be the means of giving to the New Zealand Government an avenue of approach to Britain, which has long been felt necessary,” said Mr. Anderton, M.?., who spoke for the Government. The best way of negotiating was by heart-to-heart talks around the conference table. . . . At a widely representative civic reception in the Town Hall, a welcome to the city was extended by Mr. A. &. Bailey, city councillor, in the absence from’Auckland of the Mayor (Sir E. Davis). Mr. Anderton spoke on behalf of the Government, and A. Ely (President, of the Chamber of Commerce) for the commercial communlt? Sir H. Batterbee, replying, said that before he left England, he met the King and Queen, who spoke with vivid remembrance of various episodes of their visit to New Zealand as Duke and Duchess of York, in 192 i, and recalled many happy memories, of the occasion. Sir H. Batterbee said thaj he himself would never forget . the scenes of loyalty and the enthusiasm which was shown on that occasion, throughout New Zealand.