EUROPEAN WAR

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 21 April 1945, Page 4

EUROPEAN WAR

UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER UNLIKELY SIR CYRIL NEWALL'S VIEW POST-WAR PROBLEMS EMPHASISED "Personally I cannot see any un conditional surrender being announced by the Germans; they are not that sort,” .said the Governor General. Sir Cyril Newall, In an address at the civic reception accorded him yesterday when he and Lady Newall paid their first official visit to Motueka. ‘‘lf wc were in a similar position would we surrender unconditionally? No. And I don’t think they will,” added His Excellency. He said that he believed V Day would have to be declared by General Eisenhower in an official announcement after the whole of Germany had been occupied by the Allied armies. Even then a great deal of work would re main in ‘‘exterminating the vermin.” When organised resistance was over it must be remembered that many men v ould be suffering from the privations of captivity and war injuries and many Allied countries would be on the point of starvation. It would take a great deal of effort on the part of the more fortunate nations to help those countries regain their strength. The people of Motueka and district had established a very fine record during the war, continued His Excellency, and after the war was over he was sure they would do their best to relieve the suffering oi people in those countries which had been overrun by the oppressor.

Earlier in his address His Excellency expressed the thanks of Lady Newall snd himself for the warm welcome they had received in Motueka. He said that he had passed through the district before on the occasion of the dedication of the Abel Tasman memorial, but had not had an opportunity of stopping, although he had been able to pee something of the countryside. The people of Motueka were very fortunate. They had extremely fertile soil, ample sunshine and a good rainfall. The people would probably agree with him that it was the most fortunate district in New Zealand from the point of view of climate and soil combined. In conclusion His Excellency wished the district continued prosperity so that i( should increase its contribution to the well-being of New Zealand and its less fortunate brethren. LARGE ATTENDANCE The reception, which was largely at tended, was held in front of the Borough Council Chambers, the platform being colourfully decorated with flowers and autumn-tinted foliage. A parade of returned soldiers was held, His Excellency meeting all the men personally at the conclusion of the ceremony. Selections were played by the Municipal Eand. After officially welcoming Their Ex celler.cies to the borough, the Mayor (Mr W. J. Eginton) explained that some of the primary industries carried on in the district were peculiar to that part of New Zealand. The whole of New Zealand’s requirements of hops vi ere grown th<*-e and every effort was being made to expand the tobacco industry so that the district could fulfil the country’s total requirements. Those crops, together with the fruit industry, v/ere in the main responsible for the prosperity of the district and everything indicated that there would be a further expansion in the post-war years. ”1 feel I cannot let this occasion pass without saying that Motueka joins with the rest of New Zealand in mourning the loss of the late President of the United States. President Roosevelt,” continued the Mayor. "He was a man of great vision and a true friend to the British Empire and it is most regrettable that like his great predecessor, Abraham Lincoln, he should die on the eve of victory.” The Hon. C. F. Skinner, Minister of Rehabilitation, that as Parliamentary representative of the Motueka electorate it gave him great pleasure to welcome Their Excellencies to the district, remembering as he did the part played by Sir Cyril in organising the defence of Great Britain in those dark days of 1940 when that small group of young men in the Battle of Britain turned what looked like defeat into what was now sure victory. Motueka had contributed in no small way to the very fine record of achievement established by the Dominion during this war, continued the Minister. Not only had- It supplied men for the Navy, Army and Air Force, but also those things which were almost as important as men and ammunition. There were people to-day who did not consider tobacco and hops important, but he could give, an assurance from personal experience that they assisted greatly in keeping up the morale of the troops. The Minister concluded by again wishing Their Excellencies an enjoyable visit to the district.