British Envoy For N.Z. Farewelled

Northern Advocate, 16 December 1938, Page 5

British Envoy For N.Z. Farewelled

- (Received 1 p.m.) LONDON, December 15. At the Royal Empire luncheon, the - health of Sir Henry Batterbee, Assistant Under-Secretary at the Domin- " ions Office, who has been appointed High 'Commissioner for Britain in New Zealand, was proposed by Mr Malcolm MacDonald, Dominions and Colonial Secretary. The Minister said that even in the light of recent Criticism he would risk again being assailed, and would dis- • close that Sir Harry played outrageously bad tennis, but that .would not mar the office of a man of such " Outstanding personality, ability, doggedness, tact, knowledge and underv standing, who was an indefatigable worker. ■The Dominions Office would be the poorer for his departure, and New Zealand would be the gainer, having him as High Commissioner. High Tributes to Sir Henry. No strengthening of the ties between Britain and New Zealand was needed, but if it were, Sir Henry Batterbee was the man to do it. Sir Harry, in reply, emphasised that in these days of trial of democracy the British Commonwealth represented . democracy writ large. It was capable of solving all problems. As an example, he mentioned the agreement between Britain and Eire, in which he felt very proud to ; have, assisted. . Diplomatic 40 Hours. -- > The, New Zealand High Commisrsioner; Mr W. J. Jordan, who presided, raised a laugh by warning Sir Harry Batterbee that, though he was f i an indefatigable worker, he would have to do the job in a 40-hour week. Mr Jordan expressed New Zealand’s gratification for Sir Harry’s historic appointment for which Mr MacDonald described him as carefully selected champagne of excellent vintage to launch an epoch making office. Sir Harry and Lady Batterbee sail on February. 2 in the Rangitata,