VISCOUNT CRAIGAVON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20482, 6 February 1930, Page 13

VISCOUNT CRAIGAVON.

WELCOME AT WELLINGTON.

VISIT NEARING END.

" HAPPIEST RECOLLECTIONS."

[B* TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] WELLINGTON. Wednesday.

A civic welcome was tendered by the Mayor of Wellington, Mr. G. A. Troup, to Viscount Craigavon, Prime Minister of Northern Ireland, and Viscountess Craigavon in the Town Hall concert chamber to-day. The hall was well filled and among those present on the platform was Sir Thomas Sidey, Attorney-General and Leader of the Legislative Council. The Mayor said he had a very pleasing duty to perform in extending to Lord and Lady Craigavon a civic welcome; although it was near the end of their visit the welcome was none the less cordial on that account. Only the lack of opportunity had caused the delay. The people of New Zealand had always had a warm place in their hearts for the people of the Emerald Isle, more especially perhaps for tho people of Ulster. The two countries were much alike and so were their peoples. In each case the backbone of the country was a hardy farming stock. (Applause.) Ulster had given to New Zealand many worthy and prominent citizens, among whom they would always gratefully and affectionately remember the late Right Hon. W. F. Massey, concluded Mr. Troup, amid applause. Sir Thomas Sidey extended to the visitors on behalf of the Government the very heartiest welcome to New Zealand. In doing so he apologised for the unavoidable absence of the Prime Minister, Sir Joseph Ward, who, be was glad to say, was responding to the treatment he was receiving at Rotorua, and the improvement in his health was being steadily maintained. (Applause.) Such visits as the present one helped to draw closer the ties of Empire. In responding, Viscount Craigavon said that although the Wellington civic welcome came rather low down in their programme it would stand out in future years not only as a welcome to the capital city of New Zealand, but also as a parting word of goodwill from one loyal, staunch part of His Majesty's Dominions to the representatives of another, which was second to none in loyalty and staunchness. (Applause.) After 13 years of continuous battling for the good of the Empire and of Ulster he had felt that he must have a rest, and had come out to New Zealand for that purpose. But in their wisdom the people of New Zealand, and Sir Joseph Ward and his colleagues in the Government, had decreed otherwise.

The people and the Government of New Zealand had known what was best for them and ho and Viscountess Craigavon thanked them from the bottom of their hearts. (Applause.) He thanked the Government for all the facilities which, with the utmost generosity, it had placed at their disposal for seeing the country. They would take away with them none but very happiest recollections of their most enjoyable visit to "lovely New Zealand." (Loud applause.) Viscountess Craigavon, in a few words of appreciation, said they had had a most wonderful tour through both islands and had • been amazed at the beauty of the scenery and the marvellous progress and development they had seen. They had realised something of the hardships and the difficulties that the old pioneers had experienced and had admired the splendid way in which their children were "carrying on." Viscount Craigavon will leave Wellington for England with Lady Craigavon by the Rangitata on Saturday. To-morrow he will be the guest of honour at a luncheon at Parliament House and this evening he and Lady Craigavon will entertain Ministers of the Crown and their wives at dinner.