Egypt Press Welcomes New Zealanders

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 121, 23 May 1941, Page 8

Egypt Press Welcomes New Zealanders

TRIBUTE TO TROOPS (N.Z.E.F. Official News Service.) CAIRO, May 21. The following leader appeared in the Egyptian Gazette of May 19: —“In a homely talk to the local Press last i night, Peter Fraser, Prime Minister of New Zealand, at present on a short visit to his countrymen serving here, expressed gratitude on behalf of the Dominion Government and people for the warm welcome given both officially and unofficially by everyone to the New Zealand forces in Egypt. He mentioned in particular the various clubs and recreational centres, and said how gratified he was to find a genuine attempt to make the boys feel at home.” “We for our part,” says the leader, “would like to return the compliment, and say the pleasure is ours. We have not forgotten the New Zealanders, the first Dominion troops to arrive in this country after the war started. It seems a long time since that February day when Mr Eden and a small party of journalists went down to welcome them and the distinctive New Zealand army hat, long since ceased to be a novelty in Egypt. However, this is not one of those occasions when familiarity breeds contempt, but rather a growing appreciation of the sterling qualities of the men from down under.

“With those at home in New Zealand we here review In their brilliant action in and still more at their safe return. When Mr Fraser said the Ne\y Zealanders were modest he was right: they are a shining example of a Democratic Government at its best, and if all the world was like New Zealand it would be a happier place. “Mr Fraser can rest assured that we in Egypt will always do our best to make his countrymen feel at home, and the more that can come the better,” concluded the leader. Recreational Facilities. New Zealand troops are fortunate in having an organisation like the Maadi tent to provide refreshment and entertainment during hours of leave. Over a year this organisation, subscribed to and staffed by residents of Maadi, has been providing recreational facilities for New Zealand and British troops. This afternoon, in reply to a speech of welcome by Mr. Crawford, chairman of the tent, Mr Fraser, who is paying an official visit, stated that the people of New Zealand had heard of the good work being done by Maadi residents. He considered It a privilege to make the visit, and on behalf of the people of New Zealand expressed appreciation and heartfelt thanks that their boys were being treated well in Egypt Everywhere he found the same unbounded hospitality. He was impressed with the kindness of those Egyptian people who were making it their business to look after the New Zealand boys. He spent some time wandering among the tables chatting with small groups of men. He told them news from home, and listened with great interest to their tales of Greece,