STRONGER TIES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25940, 5 September 1945, Page 6

STRONGER TIES

NEW ZEALAND AND BRITAIN IMPORTANCE OF EMPIRE UNITY (PA.) WELLINGTON, Sept. 4. The admiration that New Zealanders feel for the people of Britain and the debt the world owes them for their dauntless courage and fortitude throughout the war years were referred to by the Prime Minister, Mr P. Fraser, at a luncheon held to-day in honour of the new United Kingdom High Commissioner to New Zealand, Sir Patrick Duff. The Prime Minister also expressed satisfaction with the recent foreign policy speech by Mr Ernest Bevin, which, he said, was most realistic and could not fail to have a stabilising effect. Welcoming Sir Patrick, Mr Fraser mentioned his distinguished career in the British Civil Service, stating that he had served at No. 10 Downing Street under seven different Prime Ministers. Settlement of Differences After referring to all the ties which bound New Zealand with Britain—history, kinship, language, sentiment, trade and commerce, defence, and a devotion ter the same ideals —Mr Fraser stressed the importance of unity within the British Commonwealth at tms time, and the desirability of maintaining that unity. For his own part, he felt that, however strong the differences of opinion might be from time to time within the family of British nations, these differences were capable of private discussion in full frankness and of private settlement. Mr Fraser assured Sir Patrick that he would be warmly welcomed wherever he went in New Zealand, and he was sure Sir Patrick would realise that he was among friends devoted to the ideals of British democracy and intensely loyal to their kinsfolk and ready to assist and co-operate with Britain in the future, as they had been in the past. After thanking the Prime Minister for his welcome. Sir Patrick said he had been very fortunate in coming to New Zealand after his old friend and colleague, Sir Harry Batterbee. He also paid a tribute to the New Zealand High Commissioner in London. Mr W. J. Jordan. Little Relief for Britain

“The war is over,” said Sir Patrick, “ but there is little easement in toil, little let-up in shortages and little increase in amenities in sight for Britain’s folk. But British folk will not falter —they will march manfully on. Though the future has few treats in store for them, believe me, it has no terrors.

“ It is from such a Britain I bring a message of greeting,” he added. “It is from such a Britain that I bring a message of pride in New Zealand’s achievements, in the renown of her armies, in her constancy when exposed lo threats of similar peril, in the production she has achieved on her home front. It is from such a Britain that I bring a message of confidence in the service which the British Commonweath , and Empire can offer to humanity if our Empire family marches hand in hand.”