STATE LUNCHEON

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 76, 10 September 1941, Page 7

STATE LUNCHEON

VISITORS HONOURED ALLIED ACCORD STRESSED The warm appreciation of ad New Zealanders for what is being done for New Zealand troops by the Dutch m. dical and nursing staffs was expressed by the Government at a State luncheon, at which Commodore B. A. Potjer, commander of the Oranje, Colonel J. C. Gerard, chief medical officer, and other senior officers were entertained while they were i i Wellington. In the presence of the guests, 'he Consul for the Netherlands in New Zealand, Mr M. F. Vigeveno, presented the insignia of the Order of Knight Oranje-Nassau to Commodore Potjer, upon whom it had been conferred by Queen Wilhelmina. The Acting Prime Minister (Mr Nash) presided, and after the loyal toasts of Britain and Holland had been honoured he proposed “Our Guests.” Referring to the common interests of the two peoples, Mr Nash said that New Zealand had a close relationship with the Netherlands through Abel Tasman, and the friendship of the two countries was being made greater by the work the Dutch were doing for New Zealand sick and wounded. When he had visited the ship all of the returning men had praised the staff, and he had learned three significant Dutch words —“Nederland 7,ul herrijzen” (Holland shall rise again). Holland would rise again because no one could hold the Dutch under. They would cooperate with other people, but they could not be held down, because they must be free. Germany could never defeat the British or the Dutch. The one great hope of the world was the freedom-loving people of Britain, Holland, Norway, Denmark, and France. The people inside the occupied countries would rise against the oppressor, with Britain and the Netherlands, and help them to build a bigger and better world. If any nation among the Allies would play its part, Mr Nash concluded, it would be the Netherlands. REPLIES OF VISITORS Both the Dutch and the Javanese were glad to help the New Zealanders wh had fought the Germans, Commodore Potjer said in reply. He described the voyage they made on their firs errand of mercy, and commented that their visit to “this beautiful country” was one of the most enjoyable features of their cruise. Colonel Gerard said that the British Empire and Holland had always stood fo- peace and non-aggression, but now that they had been thrown into the wa: against Nazism they would go on to victory. “It is our chance to build for peace in the future,” he said, “and I hope that both countries will be successful in fulfilling this task.”