MR. FRASER’S TOUR

Greymouth Evening Star, 16 July 1941, Page 5

MR. FRASER’S TOUR

FORESTRY UNIT’S REQUEST. (Rec. 11.15 a.m.) LONDON, July 15. Mr. Fraser, standing on a log at a New Zealand constructed and designed sawmill in Wiltshire, talked with 200 men of the New Zealand Forestry Unit, fox- half an hour, telling them of the experiences of “our mates” in the Middle East. The men, leaning on rifles and smoking, listened attentively. Mr. Fraser shook hands with everyone. Messrs Fraser and Jordan, in their shirt sleeves, were photographed sawing a log. A roar of laughter greeted a wag’s query, “Are you happy in your work?” A bigger roax - followed Mr. Jordan’s unhesitating reply, “No. We want New Zealand tobacco.” This rejoindex’ delighted the men, who presented a deputation to Mr. Frasex - and dsicussed the shortage of tobacco and othex' subjects, including their desire to be transferred to the Middle East. Mr. Frasex' next visited a mill in Gloucestershire, where he was greeted by Marshal Birdwood, who lives nearby, and is a frequent visitoi - to the camp. Mr. Frasex' shook hands with 50 queued-up men, and repeated his talk. The men at this mill also sent a deputation to Mr. Fraser, with similar requests. Marshal Birdwood said: “I know the New Zealand troops jolly well. There are none better in the world. I was not surprised at their - behaviouxin Greece;”

Mr. Frasex - later - met newly-arrived New Zealand airmen of an operational training unit. They are learning to fly Wellingtons. Mr. Fraser, en route to Swansea, called on Lora and Lady Bledisloe, at Lydney Park. Mr. Fraser, while at Bristol, talked with a woman who has four - times been bombed out of hex - home, and narrowly escaped with hex - life. She smilingly greeted Mr. Fraser, who commented: “You Bristol people are making history to-day. There is no doubt as to the outcome of the war. while the blitzed cities of Britain maintain theix - unconquerable spirit.” —-U.P.A.