PRESS APPRECIATION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 76, 22 May 1941, Page 6

PRESS APPRECIATION

BOYS FROM “DOWN UNDER" (Rec., 1.40 p.m.) Cairo, May 21. The following leading article appeared in the Egyptian “Gazette” on 19th May, “in a homely talk to the local press last night Mr Peter Fraser, Prime Minister of New Zealand, at present on a short visit to his countrymen serving here, expressed gratitude on behalf of the Dominion Government and people for the warm welcome given both officially and unofficially by everyone to the New Zealand Forces in Egypt. He mentioned in particular the various clubs and recreational centres and said how gratified he was to find a genuine attempt to make the boys feel at home. “We for our part,” says the article, “would like to return the compliment and say the pleasure is ours. We have not forgotten that the New Zealanders . were the first Dominion troops to ; arrive in this country after the war i started. It seems a long time since f that February day when Mr Anthony - Eden and a small party of journalists - went down to welcome them, and the i distinctive New Zealand Army hat has ’ long since ceased to be a novelty in f Egypt. However, this is not one of i those occasions when familiarity s breeds contempt but rather growing 1 appreciation of the sterling qualities 5 of the men from ‘down under.’ With • those at home in New Zealand we ; here rejoice at their brilliant action in ) Greece and still more at their safe rei turn. When Mr Fraser said that the - New Zealanders were modest he was i right They are a shining example of a democratic government at its best and if all the world was like New Zealand it would be a happier place. “Mr Fraser can rest assured that we in Egypt will always do our best to make his countrymen feel at home and the more than can come the better.”