Otamatea Children Join In Tribute

Northern Advocate, 24 February 1940, Page 8

Otamatea Children Join In Tribute

[Special to “Northern Advocate”] AUCKLAND. This Day. In a telegram received by the Hon. P. Fraser shortly after the welcome at the Town Hall, 600 children attending inter-school competitions at Otamatea, Kaipara Harbour, with their Teachers and parents joined in the welcome to the Achilles. The telegram asked that their best wishes and congratulations 'should be conveyed to Captain Parry, his officers and men. Pacific Islands Too. A message from the Governor of Fiji. Sir Harry Luke, expressing the wish of the people of Fiji and of the territories cf the Western Pacific High Commission to join in the welcome to H.M.S. Achilles was handed to Captain Parry yesterday by Major C. A. Erewster. “We in this part of the Pacific remember with pleasure several visits of H.M.S. Achilles,” said Sir Harry Luke in his message, “and our association with the New Zealand Naval Division only adds to the pride we feel in the distinguished part played by her in (hat magnificent action” Mr. Hamilton’s Message. “Only unavoidable engagements prevent my being in Auckland to attend the welcome home to H.M.S. Achilles,” said the Hon. A. Hamilton, Leader of the Opposition, in a telegram sent to the Mayor yesterday. “I would be grateful if you would extend to Captain Parry and the crew of the Achilles my regret at not being able to share personally in their wonderful homecoming. “Their action, which brought success to the Empire and honour to the name New Zealander, has thrilled us all. “Today we can express our pride and joy at the manner in which our New Zealand men did their duty and maintained our heritage. “We can also, even in this hour of welcome, take this opportunity to pay publicly a tribute to those who made the supreme sacrifice in this action. Their memory is imperishable in our history. “These men of the Achilles join our airmen and soldiers in putting New Zealand where she should be in this war and where she will continue to be until tyranny and aggression are overthrown.” At the luncheon to the company of the Achilles, the Mayor said that as the crews of H.M.S. Exeter and H.M.S. Ajax were that day being entertained at the Guildhall, London, he had despatched a cablegram to the Lord Mayor of London asking him to convey to the ship’s companies of the Exeter and the Ajax fraternal greetings from the citizens of Auckland.