PUBLIC RECEPTION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 14 June 1939, Page 5

PUBLIC RECEPTION

CATHOLIC ARCHBISHOP HONOURED i UnittMt Press association, WELLINGTON, This Day. A public reception to the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Wellington and Metropolitan of New Zealand. Most Rev. Dr. T. O’Shea, S.M., who returned to Wellington on Saturday from a trip overseas lasting more than nine months, was held in the Wellington Town Hall last night. A distinguished gathering of prelates and public men paid tribute to the archbishop. The Town Hall was filled practically to capacity. The Mayor of Wellington, Mr Hislop, presided. Speeches were made by the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage; the administrator of the archdiocese during Dr. O’Shea's absence, Rt Rev. Monsignor T. F. Conolly. on behalf of the clergy; the Hon. J. G. Cobbe, representing the Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. A. Hamilton: the Minister ol Education, the Hon. P. Fraser, representing Wellington members of Parliament: the Hon. Perry, M.L.C., representing the laity of the archdiocese; the Bishop of Christchurch, the Rt. Rev. Dr. M. J. Brodie; the Bishop of Auckland, the Rt. Rev. Dr. J. M. Liston. Mr Savage said he counted it a great privilege to be on the platform to welcome home the archbishop, who was not only a great churchman, but also a great citizen. While his Grace was abroad. Mr Savage said. New Zealand had had a great ambassador abroad, too. "His Grace had the welfare of New Zealand at heart.” Mr Savage said. "It is a generous heart, and in these days

a generous heart and a wide vision are great assets. The archbishop comes to us with some information of what is happening in the Old World, and I am among those who are anxious to hear what he has to say.

“May I, then, in the name of the people of this country—and I am sure I am representing the people of this country (applause)—offer a hearty welcome to his Grace,” Mr Savage said.

“I join with the Mayor in welcoming the archbishop back to New Zealand, and in wishing him long life and many more years of service to the people he loves so well.”