CIVIC FAREWELL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22476, 21 July 1936, Page 12

CIVIC FAREWELL

MR. JORDAN HONOURED CONFIDENCE IN ABILITY HIGH COMMISSIONER'S POST BEST WISHES FOR SUCCESS Confidence in tho ability of Mr. W J. Jordan, M.P., worthily to uphold the position of High Commissioner for New Zealand was expressed by the Mayor, Mr. Ernest Davis, when he extended the best wishes of the citizens of Auckland to Mr. and Mrs. .Jordan at a civic farewell hold at the Town Hall yesterday on tho ovo of their departure for London. Associated with the Mayor in his tribute to Mr. Jordan were the deputyMayor, the Hon. B. Martin, M.L.C., Mr. F. W. Schramm, M.P., who represented tho Government; Mr. A. A. Boss, president of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce; and Mr. A. Hosser, one of the pioneers of the Labour movement. Bishop Liston, Mr. A. C. A. Sexton, M.P., members of the City Council nnd representatives of various local bodies were also present, and the council chamber, where tho function was held, was filled to overflowing. " As New Zealand's ambassador to London, you will find yourself in tho centre of the world's political, financial, commercial and social life, and in these spheres we are confident you will uphold the fair name which New Zealand enjoys," said the Mayor. " Moreover, your activities in London will doubtless strengthen still further tho bonds of common ideal and purpose that are as great a unifying force as is our kinship, because the blood that joins us is thicker than the water which divides us. Upholding High Traditions " Those oi us who have been to London know how highly New Zealanders are regarded and that the word ' New Zealand ' is an open Sesame to everything and anything there," continued the Mayor. " There is no question in the mind of any of us that in the capacity of High Commissioner for New Zealand in London, you will uphold the high traditions of that illustrious office. Mr. and Mrs. Jordan, I would like to convey to you tho best wishes of the citizens of Auckland for a highly successful term of office. On their behalf I wish you bon voyage and Godspeed." A message fiym tho Prime Minister, Mr. Savage, conveying the sincere good wishes of the Government to Mr. and Mrs. Jordan, was read by Mr. Schramm. " I should like to pay a tribute to Mr. Jordan's wholehearted and conscientious services to his electorate over the past 14 years, and to express the keenest appreciation of his worthy record of public service in the wider sphere of national affairs," stated tho Prime Minister. " Mr. Jordan's record, his proved ability and his personal qualities have recommended the Government to repose in him their full confidence The Government's Confidence

"In appointing him to be the Dominion's chief representative overseas ~s High Commissioner in Great Britain, and as representative on the League ox Nations, the Government know that Mr. Jordan will uphold the interests of New Zealand in the highest possible manner. Oil behalf of the Government I wish Mr. and Mrs. Jordan every happiness and success in their life overseas." Mr. Ross said that the duties Mr. Jordan would undertake when he reached London would be to a great extent commercial, and he felt sure that he would fill the position admirably. On behalf of the business men of the city he wished Mr. Jordan success in his new position. Mr. Martin referred to the number of public expressions of goodwill that had been conveyed to Mr. Jordan during the past few weeks—proof of the number of public works with which he had been associated —and Mr. Rosser expressed the opinion that Mr. Jordan would prove no unworthy successor to previous Agents-General and High Commissioners. Mr. Jordan's Reply It was hard to understand even yet the fii.e expressions of kindness and goodwill which lie had received, said Mr. Jordan in reply. Perhaps it was sympathy with he and Mrs. Jordan for the greatness of the task before them. " I go forward conscious of the fact that I follow a long line of worthy and able High Commissioners," said Mr. Jordan. "I go forward to represent New Zealand, proud of a young country, not yet a century old, which is becoming a primary producing country of some magnitude. The energy of the people and their hofiesty of purpose is such that I go forward to represent them with a lot of pride."

Mr. Jordan expressed his gratitude to the people of his electorate for the confidence they had repored in him for 14 years, and to the Government for the task with which he had been entrusted. Ho felt that he was not going Home to represent another people, but would be there among our people in the Mother Country. In expressing his appreciation again on behalf of himself and his wife, Mr. Jordan said that Mrs. .Jordan had all the way through been tlio power behind the gun. They felt inspired by the farewells. He would try in every action and word as representative of Now Zealand not to let the people down. HARBOUR BOARD FUNCTION TRIBUTE BY THE CHAIRMAN Good wishes for a successful career as High Commissioner for New Zealand in London were extended to Mr. W. J. Jordan, M.P., at a farewell gathering accorded him by members of the Auckland Harbour Board yesterday. On behalf of the board, the chairman, Mr. C. G. Macindoe, presented Mr. Jordan with two leather suitcases, one-being for Mrs. Jordan, and, in a short address, paid a tribute to Mr. Jordan's qualities, wishing him every success in his new sphere. Appreciative reference to Mr. Jordan's public services was made by Messrs. H. B. Mackenzie, M. H. Wvnyard, B. T. Boid, E. J. Phelan, W. B. Darlow, J. Sayegh and D. Holderness. Mr. Jordan yesterday visited Sir Frederic Lang, of Hillsborough, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Mr. Jordan's predecessor as member for Manukau.

ROTARY CLUB TRIBUTE IMPORTANCE OK FUTURE WORK Good wishes for his term as High Commissioner in London and as NewZealand's representative at Geneva were extended to Mr. W. J. Jordan. M.P., by the president, Mr. D. Henry, at tho Auckland Rotnry Club's weeklv luncheon yesterday. Mr. Henry stressed the importance of Mr. Jordan's future work and congratulated him on his appointment. Other guests at tho luncheon included Mr. W. B. Lark. Mr. P. Lvttle •(Sydney), Dr. E. N T . Merrington, Sir. G. G. A doss (Dunedin), Mr. J. 1?, McKenzio, Mr. T,. J. Taylor (Christchurch), Mr. N. Alexander (Dnnnevirko), Mr. C. B. Jones (Cambridge). The speaker for the day was MajorGeneral Sir George Richardson, who gave an address on the need for defence in New Zealand.