N.Z.E.F. ON PARADE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20618, 20 November 1941, Page 9

N.Z.E.F. ON PARADE

MR. JORDAN IMPRESSED MESSAGE FROM KING WELFARE BODIES PRAISED (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (N.Z.E.F. Official News Service.) CAIRO, Nov. 18. The New Zealand High Commissioner, Mr. W. J. Jordan, bears a message to New Zealand soldiers in the Middle East from His Majesty King George. “When I told him that I would be seeing our soldiers soon,” said Mr. Jordan, His Majesty said: ‘I hope they are all well,’ and he asked me to pass this message on to them.” To-day Mr. Jordan took the salute at an impressive parade of New Zealand soldiers at the base camp. Addressing the men, he said: “I am impressed by your soldierly bearing and the look in your faces shows that you mean business. I have been out in the back country—l can hardly call it bush— and here also I was inspired by the quiet determination of the men.”

As he inspected the ranks, he saw many familiar faces. He said that if time had permitted he would have liked to have stopped and talked to them. On behalf of the Government and the people of New Zealand he wished them well and said they could rest assured that their welfare was being well catered for by the national patriotic fund who was distributing moneys subscribed by the people of New Zealand through the Y.M.C.A., Y.W.C.A., and other welfare organisations.

Yesterday Mr. Jordan called at Abdin Palace and spent some time with Prince Mohamed Aly. He also saw Sir Hassanein Pasha, chief of the Royal Cabinet, and Sami Pasha, the Foreign Minister, who showed great interest in Mr. Jordan’s work at the League of Nations.

Mr. Jordan later visited the Houses of Parliament and talked to members In the afternoon he visited the Y.M.C.A. and Y.W.C.A. houseboat. During his visit he complimented Miss Jean Begg on the fine work she is doing for the welfare of nurses in the Middle East. He concluded a busy day with a visit to the pyramids, whence he watched the sunset.