NEW ZEALAND DAY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24255, 25 March 1940, Page 9

NEW ZEALAND DAY

KING AND QUEEN IN CITY MANSION HOUSE RECEPTION PRESENTATIONS TO THEIR MAJESTIES (From Our Own Correspondent) LONDON. Feb. 9. “I wish New Zealand many happy returhs of the day,” said Queen Elizabeth to the High Commissioner. Mr W. J. Jordan, when, with the King, her Majesty attended the reception given at the Mansion House by the Lord Mayor of London. Sir William Coxen, and the Lady Mayoress, on New Zealand Day in honour of the Dominion’s Centenary, The King and Queen, incidentally. were paying their first visit to the City of London since the war, and their presence aroused a great deal of interest. Inside the Mansion House a large and representative company was assembled to welcome the King and Queen. Among the many New Zealanders were officers and other ranks both of the R.A.F. and of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, and men and women in the uniforms of all the services. The King and Queen moved for an hour among the guests, shaking hands with several hundreds who were presented to them, informally but individually, by Mr. Jordan. and engaging them in happy and unrestrained conversation. Their Majesties had expressed a desire beforehand to meet as many New Zealanders as time would allow. Most of them were assembled in the renowned Egyption Hall, but other presentations were made in the hall where the handsome Civic plate was on view, and others again were presented in the semiprivacy of the South drawing-room, The New Zealanders there were the executive of the New Zealand Society and past chairmen, with their ladies. The present chairman is Mr D. F. Reid; his predecessors had been Mr Hal Williams and Mr R. S. Forsyth, C.M.G. Before entering the Mansion House, the King, in the uniform of an admiral of the Fleet, inspected a guard of honour formed by 50 men of the New Zealand Anti-tank Battery from Aldershot, led by Major C. S. J. Duff (Auckland), The King walked slowly up and down the three ranks, and complimented Major Duff on the appearance and bearing of the guard. “They are a fine body of men.” he said. The Royal Standard floated over the Mansion House, while the flag of the Dominion was prominent above the Bank of New Zealand, which is adjacent.

The King and Queen were received by the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress and Mr Jordan, and the troops gave a royal salute. Their Majesties walked to the entrance past sandbag buttresses partly concealed under crimson draper” The Queen wore darkest sapphire blue velvet, with fur-trimmed sleeves, and a hat to match, with diamond ornament. She was handed a bouquet of lilies of the valley by Miss Denny, the Lady Mayoress’s niece. The. King and Queen were attended by the Viscountess Hambleden, Sir Alan Lascelles, and Colonel the Hon. Piers Legh. Some Notable Guests Presentations in the north drawing room included: Mrs Chamberlain, Mr Eden (Dominions Secretary), and Mrs Eden, the Lord Chancellor and Viscountess Caldecoffe, Mrs Jordan, the senior alderman (Sir George Truscott), the Sherriffs and their wives. There were also present the High Commissioners for Squth Africa, Australia, Canada, and Eire, and the High Commissioner for India. The Government was represented by Admiral of the Fleet Lord Chatfield and Mr Oliver Stanley, Secretary for War. THe Opposition was represented by Mr Attlee. Others who met the King and Queen were: General Sir Edmund Ironside, Chief of the Imperial General Staff, and Lady Ironside; Air Marshal Sir Edward Ellington, Inspector-gene-ral of the K.A.F.; Lady Hewart; Cardinal Hinsley, Archbishop of Westminster; Field-marshal Lord Milne and Lady Milne. The Queen inquired of Mrs Jordan how the New Zealand women in London were progressing with their war work. She was interested to learn that all New Zealanders in Britain serving with the Forces had been remembered at Christmas, and that work was now proceeding with hospital organisation. A special invitation had been extended by the Lord Mayor to New Zealanders serving with the Forces and with volunteer organisations, so that many uniforms coloured the gathering. They included men of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, who were to have flown the first flight of Wellington bombers to the Dominion, but who have now been formed as a New Zealand flight under the command of Wing Commander M. W. Buckley. There were also men serving with the anti-tank battery at Aldershot, and Naval and R.A.F. officers, together with several New Zealand women serving in such organisations as the Auxiliary war services. The majority of the guests were the members of the New Zealand Society with their wives, and also all the members of the New Zealand Women’s Association. Some Now Zealand Presentations Some little while elapsed before the King and Queen reached the Egyptian Hall. With them was Mr Jordan. Leisurely, indeed, was the progress as

the High Commissioner brought forward and presented by name New Zealand men and women within his range of vision. Further behind came Mrs Jordan, with Mrs Neville Chamberlain, and the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs, and the Hon. Mrs Anthony Eden. The King and Queen were instantly attracted by the women in'uniform. The first to whom the Queen spoke was Miss Cara Muggleworth /[Auckland). whose uniform—that of the Women’s Mechanised Transport—was unknown to the Queen, who inquired about it and her work. She is attached to the staff. Next to come under Royal observation was Miss Stella Murray, wearing the uniform of an officer of the Auxiliary Fire Service. The Queen was pleased to hear that Miss Murray makes opportunity to keep up her singing in addition to her full-time war duties. A third New Zealander, in khaki, was Mrs Chitty Cnee Audrev Harper, daughter of the Rev. C. C. Harper and Mrs Harper), Two real pioneers of New Zealand’s early days to whom the King- and Queen talked were Mrs Shelmerdine (Dunedin) and Mrs Montagu Lang (Wellington). both now verv old ladies but. despite their years, they, had attended the service at St. Lawrence Jewry preceding the Mansion House reception. The King, attracted by the R.A.F. uniform, had a lengthy chat with Mr P. B. Lusk (Auckland). A world-famous New Zealander presented was Mr Jack Lovelock. The King had a few minutes’ conversation with Mr Eric P. Haslam (a 1934 Rhodes Scholar), asking him about his stay at Oxford. Mrs Haslam was with her husband. Colonel N, Fitz Herbert was another to be presented. Speaking of Auckland to the Rev. E. P. Blamires and Mrs Blamires. the Queen recalled their visit. “We shall never forget it —verv beautiful! ” she said. •

It is impossible, however, to mention everyone by name. Suffice it to say that all the people who were presented to theit; Majesties regarded themselves as very fortunate, and the happy experience afforded them great delieht. Mrs Chamberlain and Mr and Mrs Eden also were very gracious and interested in New Zealand. Mr Eden told Mrs Muggleworth of the early association with Auckland of a member of his own family. Mrs Chamberlain’s attention was attracted to a valuable tiki which Miss Eileen Driscoll (Wellington soprano) was wearing. Miss Driscoll told her that she sang many songs in Maori and then she always wore this -Maori treasure. Incidentally, Miss Driscoll, who is one of maav volunteer war workers in London, “ brought down the house ”• with her Maori songs at an A.R.P. concert in Hampstead Town Hall recently. After leaving the Egyptian Hall, the King and Queen inspected the famous Mansion House gold and silver plate, and then took tea with the Lord Mayor, Mr and Mrs Jordan, Mrs Chamberlain, and Mr and Mrs Eden. Before leaving, their Majesties expressed their pleasure to Mr Jordan at meeting the people, and the Queen said to him: “How do you remember all their names, Mr Jordan?” The band of the Royal Artillery played throughout the afternoon. After their Majesties had left, Mr Jordan thanked the Lord Mayor for entertaining New Zealanders on such an historic occasion and to make it so comfortable for their Majesties to meet the New Zealanders. He added; “Whether the people of any country are rejoicipg or are in trouble, the City of London shares their joys and sorrows.” ■ • Mr Jordan read a message from the Prime Minister. Mr M. J. Savage. “We are deeply touched,” it stated, “ at this further evidence of friendship for New Zealand at the heart of the British Empire.” . Replying. Sir William Coxon said; “It is difficult to tell you how much we appreciate the honour of being able to receive you here to-day. If we have given you any pleasure, you have given us a great deal more.”