THE HIGH COMMISSIONER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25798, 20 March 1945, Page 6

THE HIGH COMMISSIONER

VISITING NEW ZEALAND TROOPS ITALY AND MIDDLE EAST (Official News Service) (Rec. 7 p.m.) CAIRO, Mar. 17. At the invitation of General Freyberg, the High Commissioner in London, Mr W. J. Jordan, is visiting New Zealanders serving in Italy and' the Middle East. This is Mr Jordan’s first visit to this theatre since just before the offensive in Libya in November, 1941, and as on his earlier tour his aim is to make personal contact with as many of the personnel as possible. On the outward journey to Egypt he paid a brief visit to Naples, being welcomed by Brigadier Stevens, officer in charge of the administration for New Zealand troops. During his stay there he went through the New Zealand General Hospital, going from ward to ward and meeting United Kingdom and New Zealand patients. Mr Jordan’s host in Egypt is Brigadier J. Mitchell, commanding the New Zealand troops in this area. On Saturday Mr Jordan spent many hours in the New Zealand Forces Club in Cairo chatting with officers and men, and during the afternoon watched the New Zealand base fifteen defeat an English Services’ team by 19 to 6 at El Alamein Stadium. At half time he spoke to members of both teams. Mr Jordan still has a full programme of visits in the Middle East before leaving for Italy, where he will visit units and inspect general hospitals. He will return to the United Kingdom at the end of this month.