WORTH AND WORK PRAISED

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23347, 2 November 1945, Page 4

WORTH AND WORK PRAISED

High Commissioner In London Luncheon Tendered By State < N.Z.P.A.) WELLINGTON. Nov. 1. New Zealand’s High Commissioner in the United Kingdom. Mr VV. J. Jordan, was enthusiastically received at a State luncheon given at Parliament Buildings to-day. His worth and work were praised by the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition, and the United Kingdom High Commissioner, Sir Patrick Duff. The speakers included Mrs Jordan in their tributes. Mr Jordan in his reply, mentioned that he had been asked to carry on for a further term after being reappointed in 1536, 1939 and 1942. Proposing Mr Jordan's health. Mr Fraser said that to tell of his work adequately would fill volumes. It might even set uo a record as a stonewall. Without exaggeration in the long list of those who had represented New Zealand as high commissioners, none had done their work more adequately and acceptably than Mr Jordan. It was essential to have someone representing the Dominion in the United Kingdom w’ho would reflect the general spirit of New Zealand as well as looking after the business side. All who had met Mrs Jordan would agree that .there could be no better or more charming hostess. When Mr Jordan visited tne House of Representatives he might find it strangely reminiscent of 1931-32. He must be careful not to use the w'ord "stonewall," but describe it as “the close,' persistent interest of members in the businesss of the House.”

Mr Holland said it was a privilege to support what Mr Fraser had said in praise of M. Jordan. He also invited Mr Jordan to visit the House again but hoped his engagements would permit him to arrive some time before 10.30 p.m. so that he could see both sides in action. He had met many people in various parts of the world anxious to pay a tribute to Mr Jordan. The measupre of his, work could be gauged by the esteem in which Mr Jordan was held by his fellows.

British Regard Sir Patrick Duff said he could bear testimony to the regard in which the people of Great Britain held Mr Jordan. “Our only complaint is that he is a bit too successful. How can anyone say no to him?” continued Sir Patrick. At the time of the coronation he had dealings with Mr Jordan concerning seating accommodation for New Zealanders, and he was left with the impression that the population of New Zealand was somewhere between 10,000,000 and 11,000.000. It was a strange coinc'dence, and Mr Jordan admitted it, that all these people happened to be in England at once and had apparently left New Zealand in charge of a small working parts’.

Mr Jordan, in reply, said that to return to New Zealand and hear his friends say how satisfied they were w’ith what he had done made him feel proud. He then wondered, also, if he had done the job to the best of his ability or to the extent they thought he had. He knew what he had done and he also knew what he could have done. He appreciated what had been said about his “little mate.” Mrs Jordan. She had done her job wonderfully, and so had the staff of New Zealand House, specially during the trying months of the blitz, and the flying bomb. It was true that New’ Zealand got twice as many seats on the coronation route as any other Dominion, and it was a happj’ coincidence that he should have this opportunity of thanking Sir Patrick Duff for this. Mr Jordan said that many thousands of people in Great Britain w’ere greatful for the work of the Lady Galway Guild, the Red Cross, the Order of St. John and the National Patriotic Fund Board.