WELCOME TO CITY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 161, 9 June 1939, Page 7

WELCOME TO CITY

THE HIGH COMMISSIONER. MAYORAL RECEPTION. .MOST CORDIAL NOTE. There was a very representative attendance at a civic reception accorded the High Commissioner for the United Kingdom, Sir Harry Batterbee, oil his first official visit to the city, in the City Council Chambers to-day, those present including representatives of a large number ol the local bodies and public organisations throughout the district. Among those present were members of the City Council and their wives. Hon. \V. Aloffatt, Ai.L.C.. and Airs Aloffatt, lion. .1. G. Cobbe. AI.IL, and Air J. Hodgens, AI.R. “It affords me a very great deal of pleasure, as well as being a privilege, to extend to you, on behalf of the citizens of Palmerston North, a very warm welcome indeed,” said the Mayor (Air A. E. Alansford) to the distinguished visitor. “Von are not altogether a stranger to our city, having visited it on two previous occasions, one of which was when you accompanied Their Alost Gracious .Majesties the King and (,hieen when they toured this Dominion in 1927 as the .Duke and Ditches,; of York.”

Sir Harry had, prior to coming to New Zealand, a long association with the Dominions, during which time he had held some very important and responsible offices, included in which was that of Assistant .Secretary of the Dominion.'), which no doubt brought him into close touch with many New Zealanders and gave him an opportunity to show those many kindnesses referred to bv the High Commissioner tor New Zealand, Air Jordan, iust prior to ;Sir Harry's departure for New Zealand. the Alavor added.

“\Ye consider this Dominion very fortunate indeed, and rejoice that the Motherland has chosen one so eminently fitted to he the first High Commissioner appointed. We hope your stay in this Dominion will he one of pleasure to yourself and Lady Batterbee, who we all regret is, through indisposition. unable to accompany you on this visit, and we all hope she will be speedily restored to good health. 1 would also extend our congratulations to you and Lady Batterbee oil this being the anniversary of your wedding. (Applause.) “Wo do hope that your appointment as High Commissioner will Ik> rhe means of greater and better trading relationships being sot up between the exporters and importers of this Dominion. and that Great Britain and the bonds of Empire will be further strengthened bv your residence in this Dominion, for. after all. we New Zealanders and members of the 1 nited Kingdom have a common origin, a common history, a common language, a common love of liberty and law, ties which wore further cemented, if that were possible, during those fateful years 1914-1918. This Dominion, ns one of the members of the British Commonwealth, realises only too well that we as partners either go up together or go down together, and f want to assure you that the citizens of this city, in common with all New Zealanders, have their gaze fixed steadfastß- Inwards the horizon, and their efforts directed towards a grander and greater British Commonwealth. of Nations,” the .Mayor concluded. A PIONEER. Expressing his pleasure at being associated with the Mayor in the welcome, Air Hodgens pointed out that Sir Harry was a pioneer in that lie was the first- High Commissioner lor Great Britain appointed to New Zealand. It. was realised, the speaker proceeded, that there could not he oneway trade between the two countries. Great Britain had been New Zealand’s best customer, and apart from the United States ol America, last year we had been the host customer of Great Britain out of all countries. Speaking as president of the Palmerston North branch of the Returned Soldiers’ Association, Air B. J. Jacobs said he was pleased to be associated in the welcome and wished Sir J-larry and Lady Batterbee the happiest period of their lives in Now Zealand. Air K. A. Henderson, president of the Palmerston North Chamber ql Commerce, extended a welcome to Sir Harry on behalf of the Chamber and t-lie business section of the city. Tjiore could be no more important visitor, he said, than the High Commissioner in view of the present expansion of industrial activity. THE CITY'S PROGBESS.

“I thank you very much for the warm welcome you have given me,” said .Sir Harry Batterbee, who was greeted with much applause when he rose to roplv. He thanked the speakers for their very encouraging words, which lie did not, deserve but which lie valued all the same. He specially valued the kind thoughts for l.a.dv Batterbee, who was very sorry that she could not come to Palmerston North. Both had been greatly moved by the welcome extended them in .New Zealand. These wore an expression of the love and affection held for the Homeland Tint he and his wife could not help being struck by the personal note. Sir Harry commented that tins was his third visit to Palmerston North, and he recalled incidents of Ill's visit here w ith the Duke and Duchess of York, now Their Majesties tho King and Queen. When he had gone to Sandringham shortly before leaving for New Zealand, last year. Their Majesties had spoken about New Zealand and had asked him to say they retained the happiest memories of t hoir visit here. ”1 feel that T come here under very liappv auspices,” proceeded Sir Harry. “The city seems to have doubled, even trebled, in size since I was here last —it can hardly lie recognised. Not only is Palmerston North the centre of the dairying industry. which is the backbone of commerciaj prosperity, but also it is becoming an industrial city and, above nil. a great centre of communications.” _ _ Touching on his duties in Now Zealand. Sir Harry said that besides the governmental duties he was in effect providing aiT additional channel of information between the two Governments and a personal link. Ho was an ambassador in that he interpreted the thoughts, plans and desires of each country to the other. He was here to help to improve, if possible, the cooperation between the two countries and there never was a time when that co-operation suul assistance was more nooded than it was now. He could not fulfil his function unless he visited all parts of the Dominion and knew the point of view of all kinds of people, those engaged in agriculture and commerce. Therefore he was very grateful for the opportunity of visiting palmers ion North.