AMERICAN GOODWILL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23969, 20 May 1941, Page 8

AMERICAN GOODWILL

BOND OF LANGUAGE AN UNUSUAL INVITATION An invitation to the people of Xew Zealand to he represented at an "English-speaking Nations Day" celebration at Norristown, Pennsylvania, on June 7, has been received by the Editor of the Hkkai-d from the organiser of the festivity, Mr. John Murray. Mr. Murray encloses a card relating to a similar gathering he arranged last year in the city hall of Norristown, which is a hosiery-manufacturing centre of .'55.000 people, some 20 miles from Philadelphia. The function lasted from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m., and the programme is described as "speakers, dancing, entertainment." The purpose. the writer explains, is "to .help promote goodwill and a better understanding between all the English-speaking peoples of the world." Mr. Murray has not hesitated to approach highly-placed persons with re-, quests to participate, and does not seem daunted by various polite, but evasive answers which he quotes. "T have invited Lord Halifax to represent England at this programme," ho states, "and I was informed that lie would keep my invitation in mind. Mr. Casey, the Australian Minister to this country, sent his regards on not being able to come. "I have asked Prime Minister Mackenzie King to have June 7 made a holiday in Canada, and he referred it to the' proper authorities of Canada for possible action. The State Department at Washington. D C., said they had no official objections to this programme, and I believe the press and radio will give this programme plenty ol publicity. If possible, f would like the people of Xew Zealand to have some person or group in the United States represent tlieni on this programme." Unfortunately Mr. Murray has made his request so late that little can be done about it.