COLOURFUL ADDRESS

Grey River Argus, 22 May 1944, Page 4

COLOURFUL ADDRESS

MR FRASER AT CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY (Official News Service) LONDON, May 20. When the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, with Mr Curtin, received the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Law, from the Chancellor of the Cambridge University yesterday, with the traditionally colourful addresses in Latin, extolling the acl of '('he two llea/lors and to their countries, the University authorities even found a way to describe an All Black Rugby team in that scholarly tongue. , According to their tongue, the ancient , Romans would have referred to a New Zealand representative side as “tota ma atrta cohors,” of which the I'teral translation is “all that black-robed comony.” i The following is a translation or the address, with which the actingorator of the University presented Mr Fraser to the comany: It is a land of majestic beauty which has sent him to take part in the general exchange of views (the Commonwealth Conference). Islands more blessed than the Gardens of Hesperides Shores worthy of immortal gods and fit to be their abode An ocean which men call the Pacific, an ocean now tossed -..by wars and tempests, but awaiting- its due dedication to a peace which is peace indeed and will endure. In that country also sports are practiced and everyone of our generation, and the many are the decisive victories it has won .at oui expense. But there t°°> a thev love sport, so much there is ot vigorous political life, and it B by his special zeal for public afiairs that he whom I now present you. has reached the highest position in the State” The address went on to trace Mr Fraser’s rise in public affairs and his accomplishments in the direction of the abolition of poverty, public health, education and marine affairs. It concluded: “Having at a Hme of direct peril, approved the resolution to take up the burden ot war, he is now seeking to lay the foundations of our future peace. He is seeking to strengthen and confirm the’ union of all British people to an end that freedom's bulwarks may set fast against the cruel rape of robbers and tyrants, and may stand through all the lengths of years to come.”