FROM N.Z. PARLIAMENT

Grey River Argus, 17 October 1936, Page 7

FROM N.Z. PARLIAMENT

Hearty Congratulations PREMIER AND OPPOSITION LEADER’S SPEECHES PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS, October IG. Very hearty congratulations were extended to Miss Jean Batten by the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage, just before the House rose to-day. The news of her safe landing, at Mangere, had just bom received, and Mr Savage said that he thought that all members would extend very heartj" congratulations to M’ss Batt-“i i n having successfully negotiated ihr- Tasman Sea. “This.’’ he said, “m one of the biggest accomplishments of the age. Miss Batten has not only proved herself to be foremost among women, but also foremost among those who have mastered the air.” He said that he had listened to a clergyman last Sunday, who, referring to Miss Batten, put it very aptly, when he said she “had outdone the birds at their own game.” Mr Savage said that was splendid, and it seemed to fit the situation admirably. He thought New Zealand would be proud of Miss Batten, and every member of the House would join wita nicn in extending to her their very heartiest congratulations; ' and be hoped she would be spared for many years to come to do even bigger things in the field of [flying. Those who had some knowledge of mechanical things knew how easy 'it was for the very best machine to I stop, and a great engineer would not know why. He would fiddlo around for a while, and it went off again ug if nothing had happen? 1. Those who knew the eccentricities of an engine would marvel at the nerve, as well as at the capacity of the girl who had flown from Britain to New Zealand. Without any qualification, he said, it was one of the greatest accomplishments of the age. It placed Miss Batten not only as a fearless girl, but also as an engineer of the first magnitude. It showed to him —and he Thought to everyone who considered the thing for a moment —that women could compare very favourably with men in most things that required ingenuity, skill and daring. Mr Savage added: “Now, Mr Speaker, I will leave it at that. I want to extend, on behalf of the Govenr.nci’t and the people of this country —and I think I can say, after the representations that have been made to me by the Leader of the Opposition, we ate quite united as a Parliannm —not only as a Government and peopii, but we will unite as the Parliament and people of New Zealand —in extending to Miss Batten our very heartiest congratulations on her accomplishment, and express our great satisfaction that she is here and well in the land ol her birth.” (Applause). Rt. Hon. u. W. Forbes (Leader of the Opposition) in associating himself with the Prime Minister’s congratulations to Miss Batten on her remarkable feat, declared that when the news was received, the first feeling was one of relief, for one felt that, in undertaking such a journey, no matter how skilfully and how experienced Miss Batten was, there was always an element of risk. He was sure the people of New Zealand throughout the dry had been very anxious indeed that no mishap should occur, and their first reaction was one of great relict. Then there was a feeling of pride over the young New Zealand girl showing such wonderful capacity, such courage, such determination, as to carry through a great lone-handed flight from Britain to arrive in the land of her birth. He knew this was her ambition, for the last time she arrived in Australia, she declared it her ambition to fly to the country in which she was born. Everyone was pleased, and the Prime Minister, in extending to Miss Batten the congratulations of the House and the Government was doing something with which the people of New Zealand would be heartily in accord. (Applause).

Sydneyites Thrilled HIGH TRIBUTE TO MISS BATTEN. (Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.) (Received October 16, at 8.10 p.m.) SYDNEY. October 16. The whole city was thrilled when it became known, about. 2.30 p.m., that Miss Bat-on was over New Zealand. The “Sun” was on the streets before 3 p.m., with an arresting bill, headed: “Bravo Jean”. Several stations broadcast the enthusiastic scenes of the landing at Mangere. Miss Battens neat, cool speech was plainly heard m all parts of the State. The Prime Minister of Australia.. Rt. Hon. J. A. Lyons; tihe Premier of Now South Wales, Mr iS-tevens, and other prominent people immedtatoly cabled their heartiest congratulations. Captain P. G. Taylor, who set M ; ss Batten’s compass before her departure, said: “It is a magnificent effort of courage and flying ability just what I expect from jean Batten.” Major Murray Jone.,, General Manager ' of De Havillands, said: “I watched her take off this morning, and I take my hat off to her.” 1 The newspapers featlure the over-

night scenes at Richmond Aerodrome, and also publish striking photographs of the plane's take-off at dawn. LORD GALWAY’S CONGRATULA TIONS. WELLINGTON, October 16. The Governor-General wrote to Miss Jean Batten to-night, congratulating her on the successful termination ot her flight from England to New Zealand. MOTORISTS SUBSCRIBE £225 AUCKLAND, October 16. A collection was made from the motorists at Mangere and realised £225 which goes to Miss Batten. U.S.A. Services on Pacific SIX MORE CLIPPERS. (Received October 16 at 7.10 p.m.) NEW YORK. October 15. The Honolulu correspondent of. the "New York Times” says: Mr Trippe, the President of the Pan-American Airways, arrived at Honolulu to-day by the Philippine clipper plane, thus formally opening the era of commercial aviation in the Pacific. Mr Trippe announced that six clipper planes, of forty tons each, designed for the trans-Pacific service, were under construction at the. Boeing Plant, at Seattle. The first of them will be ready for operation within 14 months. ROME-ADDIS ABABA SERVICE. ROME, October 15. A bi-weekly air service from Rome to Addis Ababa has been inaugurated.