THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24748, 23 November 1943, Page 4

THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL

RETURN FROM PACIFIC (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Monday The Governor-General. _ Sir Cyril Newall. returned to Wellington this afternoon from a visit to Fiji and th« New Zealand Navy, Army and Air Force in the South- Pacific. NEWSPAPER DELEGATES WELCOME AT ROTORUA TRIBUTES TO MAORI PEOPLE (O.C ) ROTORUA, Monday Members of the British newspaper mission were welcomed at the Tamatekapua meeting house last evening by •the Maori people of Rotorua. The visitors were Sir Walter Layton, chairman of the News Chronicle, Limited, and the Star Newspaper Company, Limited; Sir Neville Pearson, chairman of the publishing house of C. Arthur Pearson, Limited, and vice-chairman of George Newnds, Limited; and Mr. Samuel Storey, M.P. for Sunderland, Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Health, and chairman of Portsmouth and Sunderland Newspapers, Limited. The function was arranged at short notice, but the programme was much appreciated bv the visitors.

Sir Walter Layton. extending thanks, said that in England they heard much of the progress the Maoris had made in educational and economic activities. It was a pleasure to visit New Zealand and find those beliefs established in fact, and that the 'Maori people were contributing in a great measure to joining the culture,of the two races for the benefit of all.

Sir Neville Pearson paid a tribute to the singing of the Maoris. At the conclusion of the gathering, Mr. H. Tai Mitchell, C.M.G.. asked the visitors to convey to the_ King and Queen the continued allegiance of the Maori people to the British Throne. Also a greeting to Mr. Churchill .and, if the occasion arose, to Mr. Roosevelt.

THE NATIONAL PARTY

RESIGNATION OF PRESIDENT (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Monday The president of the New Zealand National Party, Mr. Alex Gordon, tendered his resignation for personal reasons at a meeting of the Dominion executive committee of the party. The committee was unanimous in expressions of appreciation of the services rendered to the organisation by Mr. Gordon over a number of years. Mr. G. H. Grigg, of Canterbury, a vice-president of the party, was elected acting-chairman of the executive committee.

OBITUARY MR. GEORGE TUTT The death has occurred- of Mr. George Tutt, a well-known Auckland business man. Mr. Tutt was born in Sussex. England, and came to' New Zealand with his parents by the steamer Doric in April, 1884. He started in business 47 years ago and built up a retail establishment. Instrumental in forming the Symonds Street Business Association, he was also its first president. He was a member of the City Council under the late Sir Arthur Myers. Mr. Tutt was prominent in Masonic circles, being a member of the Grand Lodge. For over 40 years he was a member of the Mount Eden Bowling Club and was president for a number of years. He was also a foundation member of the Rocky Nook Club and was a member of the Auckland Rugby Union. He is survived by his wife and one son, Mr. G. R. Tutt, who is at present serving in the. Royal Navy. SOLOMONS NATIVES IMPACT OF THE WAR The very favourable impression of the native population gained by American and New Zealand servicemen in the Solomon Islands was referred to by the Jit. Rev. W. H. Baddelev. D.5.0., M.C., M.A., Bishop of Melanesia, in a broadcast address last night. The bishop said many airmen forced down in the jungle owed their lives to the gallantry and devotion of these natives, who had also proved courageous and loyal in acting as scouts and in other capacities for the Allied forces there. Americans and New Zealanders had found the natives cultured, kindly disposed, ready to help and capable of self-sacrificing loyalty to those whom they knew to be their friends.

The impact of tlje war in the Solomons was bound to have an effect on the native mind, the bishop added. They had experienced all that was bad in our go-called civilisation and much would have to be done for them to soften the blow of the stupendous forces let loose in their islands. Station after station of the Melanesian Mission had been wrecked. Schools, mothercraft and maternity centres on Guadalcanar and elsewhere were now heaps of rubble. Schools were urgently needed for .the sake of the native population.

AMBULANCE SERVICE Stating that the proposed stationing of a trailer ambulance at Ptikekohe was not acceptable, the Franklin County Council in a letter received by the Auckland Hospital Board last night urged the provision of a proper ambulance service as the right of the large population in the district. The chairman, Mr. Allan J. Moody, said the board had decided to give the trailer ambulance a trial, but had been prepared to reconsider the position if it did not prove satisfactory. The board paid the St. John Ambulance Association a large subsidy to provide ambulance services, and if the association was asked to establish a service Pukekohe the subsidy would have to be considerably increased. It was decided to ask the Franklin council to state specific objections to the trailer.

ROTARY CLUB In place of the customary luncheon gathering, • the Auckland Rotary Club met last evening in .Milne and Choyce s Reception Hall. There was a very large attendance, including visitors from other Rotary Clubs, notably from Whangarei, Hamilton and the newlvformed Paeroa club. They were welcomed bv the president, Mr. A. &• North, who stated that, as it had been found impossible to organise the forum usually held by clubs in the Auckland province, the executive had decided to arrange a social gathering. . The chairman stated that the annual district Rotary conference would be held in Christchurch on March 14 and 15, and it was hoped that the president of Rotary International, Mr. Charles Wheeler, of San Francisco, would be present. A Rotary banner, sent as an exchange gift, was received from the Hornsbv Rotary Club (kngland). The Rich white Golf Cup was presented to the winner. Mr. G. Hartshorn.