FRANCE AND NEW ZEALAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 3594, 30 January 1923, Page 49

FRANCE AND NEW ZEALAND.

TOUCHING CEREMONY IN NEW ZEALAND. WELLINGTON, January 26. A most, impressive and touching ceremony took place in Parliament grounds this afternoon in the presence of a large and interested crowd of spectators, when a presentation to the Prime Minister for the people of New- Zealand of a handsome bronze war memorial palm was made by Admiral Gilly and the men of the cruiser .Tules Michelet, who were accompanied by the ship’s band acting as a guard of honour. “On behalf of the President and the people of the French Republic,” said the admiral, “I bring to-day to the people of New Zealand this palrp as a symbol of indescribable remembrance to celebrate the memory of the heroic children of New Zealand who fought in the Great War and made the supreme sacrifice. I am very proud to fulfil this mission, which moves me deeply. It reminds me of the 100,000 sons of New Zealand who went in such a magnificent rush to defend on the far-away battlefields their ideal of justice, liberty, and civilisation. Seventeen thousand of them sealed with their blood, mingled with the blood of French soldiers, the bonds of the unalterable fraternity which unite our two countries. France will never forget it. Gentlemen, I propose that we should keep silent a minute as a token of respect and admiration for the gorgeous memories of our dead.” Admiral Gilly and the officers and men of the cruiser stood at the salute for a full minute, the band afterwards playing “God Save the King.’’ Mr Massey feelingly and suitably replied, paying a high tribute to our French allies. The band then played "The Marseillaise,” and the crowd, on the call of the Prime Minister, having given three hearty cheers for our guests and our gallant allies, the march past by the seamen of the Jules Michelet brought the proceedings to a close.