CHEERING CROWDS GREET MR. EDEN IN WELLINGTON

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22869, 12 February 1949, Page 6

CHEERING CROWDS GREET MR. EDEN IN WELLINGTON

‘A VERY WELCOME VISITOR’

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, Feb. 12. An enthusiastic welcome was accorded Mr. Anthony Eden wherever he went yesterday, his popularity being most marked.

A State luncheon was his first public ; engagement. He was also given a civic reception in the Town Hall, lie visited the Commercial Travellers’ Club and the Dominion headquarters of the Returned Servicemen’s Association, where he met the Dominion executive of the organisation and gold badge members ns his final engagement before returning to Government House for dinner and a rest in the evening. There were cheering crowds outside each building as he arrived for his engagements. Mr. Eden was a very welcome visitor, said the Prime Minister, Mr. P. Fraser, in welcoming him and his travelling companion. Commander A. H. P. Noble, at the State luncheon. Mr. Fraser referred to the pride felt by all in New Zealand when in 1938 Mr. Eden said he could no longer carry on ins high office of Foreign Secretary while a policy of appeasement was being carried through by the British Government. It was an example of independence of thought and of courage which would always stand out in the history of the British Commonwealth. “Dictation From None” Mr. Fraser quoted Mr. Eden’s historic statement on behalf of Britain that “We will offer co-operation to all and we will accept dictation from none.” “That is what the British Commonwealth says today,” Mr. Fraser said. No one had said too much, or done too much in welcoming the two distinguished guests, said the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. S. G. Holland. Mr. Eden was not only a representative of Britain, but also a representative of the people of Britain. The welcome of the Maori people was voiced by the member of the Executive "Council for the Maori Race, Mr. E. T. Tirikatenc. When Mr. Eden rose to speak he was greeted with musical honours and the Maoris present joined in a haka of welcome.

At the civic reception in the Town Hall every available seat was filled and many stood round the walls. Outside the hall were many who could not get in and they were provided for by a loud-speaker.

“There’ll Always be an England”

When Mr. Eden arrived with the Mayor, Mr. W. Appleton, the crowd outside cheered him to the echo. The cheering continued as the official party made its way into the hall and up the aisle to the platform to the strains of “There’ll Always Be An England.” Representing the Government, the Minister of Finance, Mr. W. Nash, said that no one had worked harder to make a success of the League of Nations than Mr. Eden and though the league might have failed to avoid a major war its achievements were nevertheless great. This was his last broadcast speech before he concluded his visit, said Mr. Eden, and he wanted to say nothing could have exceeded the kindness of the welcome given him and Commander Noble from the moment they landed in Auckland. Truer Perspective “I have been able to get a truer perspective of your wonderful country than I could have got in any other way,” Mr. Eden said. In the past there had been too much of the Dominion Ministers “coming to us.” (Amused applause.) There had been too little of their Ministers going to the Dominions.

He felt that in future it might be well if the Prime Ministers’ meetings were held in other countries of the Commonwealth, including New Zealand.

After speaking of his hopes for increased trading between Great Britain and the Dominion, Mr. Eden said he hoped that New Zealand would try to get the folks she wanted to settle here from Home before seeking them elsewhere.

"That one or two have not liked it here does not militate against this,” he said. “In the British Empire there must be the widest tolerance between the countries. It was so during the war. I am more than ever convinced that the British Empire has much to give the world in leadership in the years to come.”

Speaking words of farewell Mr Eden expressed a wish for the people of the Dominion. “The happiness to which the valour of your people entitles you.”