A GREAT AMBASSADOR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20496, 22 February 1930, Page 11

A GREAT AMBASSADOR.

WORK OF SIR ESME HOWARD.

GRATITUDE OF BRITAIN. British "Wireless. RUGBY. Feb. 20. The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Arthur Henderson, has addressed a message to Sir Esme Howard on his departure from Washington. He says:—

" I cannot allow you to leave Washington on your retirement from the diplomatic service without expressing my deep and sincere appreciation of the wortc your Excellency has accomplished at the post you are now relinquishing with, I know, so many regrets. You must indeed be happy to feel that the relations between the peoples of the United States and Britain have never been more friendly and mutually helpful than they are to-day.

" This happy result, as tributes paid to vou recognise, is largely due to your personal influence and example. I am convinced that posterity will have reason to be grateful to you for the part you have played."

FAREWELL TO AMERICA.

GROWTH OF FRIENDLINESS

(Received February 21. 11.S p.m.)

NEW YORK, Feb. 21

The retiring British Ambassador, Sir Esme Howard, made a farewell speech at a banquet given by the Pilgrims' Society this evening, at which there were many leading persons present. He said :

" Wherever I went in my first travels in the United States I found hospitality and great friendliness for t.he individual Englishman, but also perfectly open and undisguised suspicion of England and everything British.

" But on the other side of the water at the same time the general mental attitude toward the United States was one of complete ignorance and incredible interest."

Sir Esmo continued: "It is as certain as that I stand here that the sentiments of our two countries toward each other are growing not worse, but better, all the time. If you ask me for specific evidence, I would say that never was there so little ultrapatriotic denunciation of Britain ns during the last, presidential elections. Tail-twisting appears no longer to be a popular pastime. " I would point to the immense popular interest, taken in the illness of George and his miraculous recovery. Lastly, f would refer to the really won derful welcome given everywhere to tho British Prime Minister, Mr. MacDonakl, when he visited thi3 country last autumn." Sir Esme will leave for England tomorrow.