SIR H. BATTERBEE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 14 March 1939, Page 3

SIR H. BATTERBEE

CIVIC RECEPTION AT WELLINGTON LINK WITH GREAT BRITAIN • United Press Association WELLINGTON, This Day. "Wc are proud that we are going to be citizens of your beautiful city,” said Sir Harry Batterbee, High CommissionCi for Great Britain in New Zealand, when speaking at a civic reception accorded him and Lady Batterbee in the council chamber of the Wellington Town Hall yesterday. Sir Harry said' hv was looking forward to seeing the progress of the Centennial Exhibition buildings in Rongotai. He was hopeful that the British pavilion would play a part in making the exhibition a great success, which he was sure it was going tc be. The mayor, Mr T. C. A. Hislop, presided, and among those present were the Deputy-Leader of the Government. Mr Fraser. Sir Hubert Ostler, Mr Justice Blair and Mr Justice Smith. The mayor said it was his privilege to extend a most cordial welcome to Sir Harry and Lady Batterbee. He was sure they would realise, as they met the people of Wellington from time to time, as they walked in the streets in the giory of the sunlight, and as they asctnded the hills which surrounded the city an breathed in the glorious air, that th y had come among a community which welcomed them with the most kindly of feelings. The knowledge Sir Harry had gained on earlier visits to New Zealand, as well as his outstanding qualities, peculiarly fitted him for the office he had been called upon to fill and the tasks he would have to perform. His presence in New Zealand would ensure personal contact between this country and Great Britain. SEPTEMBER CRISIS "I ain sure. Sir Harry, you will agree v. ith me that there is nothing more essential to bind together the different parts of the British Commonwealth ot Nations, nothing more essential to bring about understanding between the nations, than personal contact between , the leaders of the different countries,’ 1 said Mr Hislop. ‘‘That fact cannot be better illustrated than by the steps that were taken to bring about personal contact by the British Prime Minister during the crisis last year.” Mr Hislop said it was appropriate that Sir Harry and Lady Batterbee 1 ffc arrived in New Zealand in time to participate in the centennial celebrat'ons. The British Government was t. king a keen interest in the exhibit'oii, and there was at present being •*i ected the British court.. GOVERNMENT S WELCOME Mr Fraser said the Government was very pleased to be able to welcome to New Zealand the direct representative of His Majesty's Government in Grat Britain. The desirability of extending the new link in Imperial commuiiicat.ons had become very apparent to New Zealand, and it was impossible to overstress the advantages of personal contact with a representative of the British Government in the Important intricate and delicate matters which come i.p for Consideration almost daily. It required no imagination on the •art of any citizen to grasp the fact tnat during the crisis in September last there were important communications corning hourly from the United King-

I com in an endeavour to keep New Zealand and the other Dominions correctly and intimately informed, said Mr Fraser. It would be an added advantage to have someone who understood the various problems and could interpret more intimately the c'"imunications thit came to hand. That was the important function Sir Harry had been called upon to discharge in New Zealand. Mr Fraser added that the Government hoped Sir Harry and Lady Batttrbee would have a very pleasant time •n New Zealand, and also looked forward to benefiting greatly from the very extensive knowledga which Sir Larry possessed. “ENTIRELY AT HOME” Sir Harry Batterbee, replying, said Lady Batterbee and he appreciated the welcome extended to them in Wellington, and elsewhere, more than they could possibly say. They were already beirg made to feel entirely at home. Their welcome, they knew, had as its origin the affection felt in New Zealcnd for the Mother Country. During his previous visits he had formed many friendships and these he hoped to renew. Before his departure from England he had been graciously received •v Their Majesties the King and Queen both of whom had recalled many happy memories of their visit to this Dominion Sir Harry said that, as the mayor and Mr Fraser had pointed out, the purpose of his appointment was to provide an additional link between the United Kingdom and New Zealand to supplement the information which came through official channels and to establish personal contacts between the two Governments. In a word, his mission was to be the interpreter of the mind of one Government to the other. That sr.ould not be difficult, seeing they were ro close together in outlook and ideals.