A BUSY DAY

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIX, Issue 21971, 24 May 1941, Page 10

A BUSY DAY

Mr Menzies In Auckland MANY ENGAGEMENTS (P.A.) AUCKLAND, May 23. A busy day during which he had a succession of appointments to keep, was experienced by the Prime Minister of Australia, Mr R. G. Menzies, in addition to his public appearances, he had several private engagements and was fully occupied throughout the day. Mr Menzies spent the morning in consultation with the acting Prime Minister, the Hon. W. Nash, and the Minister of Supply, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, discussing matters of mutual interest to Australia and New Zealand. He lunched with the two Ministers and later went with them to the Cenotaph, where he deposited a wreath. A brief visit to the tomb of the late Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage, at Bastion Point, was also made by Mr Menzies accompanied by the two New Zealand Ministers and his brother, Mr J. L. Menzies. The Australian Prime Minister deposited a wreath at the entrance to the tomb. No national leader could have had a much more tumultuous welcome from a New Zealand gathering than was given late in the afternoon to Mr Menzies by nearly 3000 persons at the civic reception in the Town Hall. Australian “coo-ees” were mingled with cheers and applause which almost drowned the organ music as he entered with the Mayor, Sir Ernest Davis. The official party included Mr Nash and Mr Sullivan.

Speaking on behalf of the citizens, the Mayor praised Mr Menzies’ leadership of Australia’s war effort. Mr Nash recalled that Mr Menzies had shared the perils of the people of Britain in bombing raids. He had interpreted the mind of Australia and New Zealand to the War Cabinet as no one else could have done, and it was fortunate he was in London when the momentous decision in regard to Greece had to be made. The remarks of the Mayor and Mr Nash were endorsed by Mr Sullivan and the chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board, Mr Hendry Luke. Mr H. Tai Mitchell, of Rotorua, offered greetings on behalf of the Maori people by singing “Haere Ra” and reciting the well-known war cry “Kamate Kamate” which he translated for the visitor’s benefit. Miss Mitchell then presented Mr Menzies with two mementoes, an ashtray on a tai] carved stand and a vase turned from a treefern trunk. Mr Menzies received an ovation when he rose to reply, and at the close of his speech he was given three cheers.