WORK FOR PEACE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23205, 26 November 1938, Page 19

WORK FOR PEACE

CHAMBERLAIN PRAISED ENTHUSIASM IN AMERICA PORTRAIT DRAWS APPLAUSE "I was greatly impressed by the manner in which the people of the United States idolised tlio British Prime Minister, Mr. Chamberlain, because of his efforts for peace during the recent European crisis," said Mr. L. C. Rolls, general manager of Williams and Kettle, Limited, of Napier, who returned from overseas by the Mariposa yesterday. Mr. Kolls, who was accompanied by his wife and son, visited Great Britain, the Continent, Canada and the United States. After seeing the early.stages of the crisis in England, Mr. Bolls left for New York by the liner Queen Mary on September 28, three days before it was expected that war would break out. On board were 3500 passengers and crew, a record number for the liner. When news came through by radio that all was well, at least for the time being, there were remarkable celebrations oil board, in which not only Britishers but also many Americans and other foreigners took part. The screening of a picture of Mr. Chamberlain was greeted with applause.

A few days later Mr. Rolls attended an entertainment at the Rockefeller Centre, New York. Again Mr. Chamberlain's portrait was thrown on a screen and there was a spontaneous burst of cheering and clapping that was deafening. Then the picture was replaced by one of Hitler and the applause gave way to jeers and hisses. "All tho people in the United States and Canada with whom I came in contact wero unanimous in their praise of Mr. Chamberlain," Mr. Rolls said. "It makes one feel proud to belong to a nation which breeds men of his calibre. The general opinion is that the present British Government is the finest the country has had since the war."