BRAVE BUT MODEST.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18540, 10 April 1930, Page 9

BRAVE BUT MODEST.

BYRD ENTERTAINED BY MINISTRY. By Te!-gr*ph-Prf*s« Aaaociatlon. WELLINGTON, April 9. The Ministerial luncheon accorded to Rear-Admiral Byrd at Parliament House to-day was notable for the modesty of the utterances of the distinguished guest—conqueror of two poles, and world famous as an explorer. Admiral Byrd had nothing to say of his achievements. He preferred to be regarded as one of the party sharing equally with the others what praise was bestowed. Typical of the man was his reference to Scott and Shackleton. “Our job was nothing compared with theirs.’’ he said. “They were the pathfinders, the real pioneers.” The Hon. G. W. Forbes, acting-Prime Minister, proposed the toast of Admiral Byrd. “"We welcome you,” said the Minister, “as a representative of the United States and as an officer of its Navy. We realise how much our countries have in common, how our soldiers and sailors fought in a common cause, and shared in the common sacrifice that built up a bond of friendship that will have a most important bearing on the future prosperity and peace of the world.”

The Minister referred to previous attempts to reach the North Pole, and said that in all those contests there had always been a full recognition of the merits of the rival expeditions. New Zealand had been closely associated with Ant?retie expeditions, and it had nothing but admiration for the work the Byrd Expedition had accomplished. “New Zealand is proud that It has been the base country of the expedition. We feel it is an historic occasion to be associated with you. It will be something to look back upon.”