MR JORDAN IN LONDON

Kaikoura Star, Volume LVI, Issue 87, 5 November 1936, Page 3

MR JORDAN IN LONDON

N.Z. SOCIETY’S LUNCHEON LONDON, November 2. The most successful lunch yet given by the New Zealand Society was held at the Savoy Hotel to welcome the High Commissioner (Mr W. J. Jordan). Lord Bledisloe presided. Lord Bledisloe, speaking as a New Zealander, drew attention to the presence of Major-General B. C. Freyberg, V.C. He said that Mr Jordan was the parliamentary representative for the Empire’s most beautiful racecourse — Ellerslie. He was also a great agriculturist. The Secretary of State for the Dominions (Air Malcolm MacDonald), in proposing the health of Mr Jordan, adversely compared Mont Blanc with Mount Cook. He said that Air Jordan’s career, which included Geneva and London, resembled a fairy story. Air Jordan expressed gratitude for his reception “in a country where there were social and official planes which New Zealand knew not of.” He added that he would have regarded his career as a success even if he had only gone to New Zealand and married Mrs Jordan. When New Zealand overcame unemployment, it was hoped to invite British immigrants. Lord Bledisloe, in responding to the toast of his health, emphasised the community of interests of British and Dominion farmers. He paid a tribute to the New Zealand Labour Ministry’s consideration for the Maoris. The guests included the Lord Privy Seal (Lord Halifax), General Sir Alexander Godley, the High Commissioner for the Irish Free State (Mr J .W. Dulanty) and Mrs Dulanty, and the High Commissioner for South Africa (Air C. T. te Water).