Tributes To N.Z.s Gallant War Efforts

Northern Advocate, 24 January 1940, Page 6

Tributes To N.Z.s Gallant War Efforts

[Per Press Association. Copyright ] WELLINGTON, This Day.

The gallant part already played by New Zealand in the present war was mentioned by the Marquess of Willingdon at a State luncheon yesterday, in honour of the representatives of the United Kingdom and Australian Governments at the Centennial celebrations.

The function. over which the Deputy-Prime Minister (Mr P. Fraser) presided, was a gathering which included Ministers of the Crown, members of both Houses of the Legislature, representatives of the judiciary, armed forces. State departments, industry and trade, professions and the church.

The visitors were accorded an enthusiastic reception.

Goodwill of Empire

After the Loyal .Toast had been honoured, that of ‘‘the guests." the Marquess and Marchioness of Willingdon and Senator P. A. M. Mcßride and Mrs Mcßride, was proposed by Mr Fraser.

New Zealand, he said, arrived at its Centennial with the goodwill of every part of the British Commonwealth of Nations.

They came representing the British Government at a time when it was more necessary than ever that the nations of the British Commonwealth should feel their-independence in defending principles and institutions they all held dear. In extending a welcome also to Senator and Mrs Mcßride, Mr Fraser referred to the advantages that would arise from the Tasman air service, which it was hoped would soon be an accomplished fact. He mentioned also the benefit to be gained from personal contact by Ministers in the settlement of trade and Allied difficulties. Greetings From United Kingdom Lord Willingdon said he was proud to give the people of this country the warmest greetings from the Government of the United Kingdom and his fellow countrymen and to wish them every success with their Centennial celebrations and in their future lives. Everywhere they had been received with the greatest kindness and consideration by all classes of people. The thrill of Empire service came to his mind when it went back to the four years of the Great War, when he was in India as Governor of Bombay, and he thought of the magnificent response of the whole of the Commonwealth of Nations to the call of the Old Country. The last 25 years had been years of constant unrest, unsettlement and anxiety.

He thought no man in the world had made more heroic efforts than the Prime Minister of England (Mr Chamberlain), but he found he could put no trust in the assurances of Hitler, and now once again the Empire was plunged into what he hoped would not be another Great War.

Fighting Forces of Evil,

He was extremely delighted at the response of the Commonwealth of Nations to the call of the Mother Land in its hour of need.

“We, together with France, are standing solidly to fight the forces of evil.” said Lord Willingdon.

New Zealand, he continued, had played a gallant part in the present struggle, which had so far been mainly on the sea and in the air. It was an epic [victory that had been won over the Admiral Graf Spec, and the Achilles, with a great number of New Zealand men on board, had a great share in securing that victory.

“The Old Country is doing its full part in this war, and never have I seen such complete unanimity and determination by all classes to see the war through.” said Lord Willingdon.

Compulsory Service

“I have never seen the principles of compulsory service so readily accepted by almost every individual party in our country.

“When I return to the Old Country I shall tell my friends that New Zaaland, as ever before, is sound and solid for helping the British Empire, and that it is absolutely determined to make the victory secure for the Allies, and after this war is over to bring peace and contentment in the world.” Senator Mcßride thanked the New Zealand Government for the invitation extended to the Prime Minister of Australia (Mr R. G. Menzies) to visit the Centennial celebrations. Mr Menzies. who had asked him to express the deepest regret for his inability to visit the Dominion at present, hoped to make a visit in the near future.

Value of Personal Contacts

Mr Mcßride referred to the value of personal contacts between the Ministers of the two countries. Referring to the war efforts in Australia, he said the Commonwealth had undertaken to make :• a substantial contribution in the way of munitions and equipment.

Australia believed Great Britain and her Allies would emerge victorious, and already it was planning so lhat men would be rehabilitated in industry at the earliest possible moment after peace.