RECEPTION TO N.Z. TROOPS

Southland Times, Issue 24164, 28 June 1940, Page 6

RECEPTION TO N.Z. TROOPS

Maori Sbngs Heard

In London

PEOPLE GATHER OUTSIDE

(United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Received June 27, 6.30 p.m.) LONDON, June 26. Hundreds of curious Londoners gathered outside the Adelphi Theatre when they heard the strains of Maori songs at the reception to New Zealand troops on leave by the High Commissioner (Mr W. J. Jordan) ’ and other New Zealanders living in London. Lord and Lady Willingdon and Mrs Freyberg, wife of Major-General B. C. Freyberg, commander of the New Zealand Division, were present. Lord Willingdon and Mr Jordan welcomed the troops. The Maoris sang Hoki Hoki, the Maori Battalion song andPoAtarau and were enthusiastically acclaimed. Well-known London artists, including Arthur Briscoe and Leslie Henson, entertained the troops. The Adelphi, which is almost next door to New Zealand House, has become the focal point of New ® Zealanders on leave. New Zealanders have again seen the haunts of former war soldiers, including the famous Chandos Bar, near the Strand, where there is a unique counter of one block of wood on which hundreds of New Zealanders at the last war carved their names. The troops after the Adelphi reception crowded the historic Haeremai corner and the Tivoli basement bar. New Zealanders in London a few years ago subscribed a brass plate marking the corner and bearing the words “Haeremai. New Zealand Corner.” NAVAL MEN PARADE New Zealand members of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve today paraded in the barrack square of a British naval station and three times cheered Mr Jordan after his speech of welcome, in which he drew attention to New Zealand’s part in the Admiral Graf Spee battle. Mr Jordan Said: “You’ve come over for a big job. You are going to do what some of us older men have tried to do. I know that you will do it. You are every bit as good as your predecessors.’’ New Zealand troops on leave are now a familiar sight in London streets. One Maori drew great attention in fashionable Oxford street when he took a violin from a white-haired old man wearing a badge of the last war and began to play classical music. The old man took the cap around and trebled the usual street takings within a few minutes.

All London newspapers publish a photograph of the Prime Minister (Mr Winston Churchill) shaking hands outside No. 10 Downing street with an Aucklander, Lieutenant Noel Gibson, a son of Mr Noel Gibson, head master of the Dilworth School. Mr Churchill was leaving No. 10 for the House of Commons when he saw three New Zealand officers, whom he greeted and talked with for several minutes. Lord Gifford then entertained the party at tea in the House of Lords.