DR THACKER REBUKED.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20483, 8 December 1934, Page 21

DR THACKER REBUKED.

Comment on Wreath Incident. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, December 7. The Hon W. Perry, M.L.C., Dominion vice-president of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association, referring to-day to a recent incident in Christchurch, said:— “ It is difficult to understand the unmannerly outburst of Dr Thacker against Australia when he erroneously thought that the wreath which will be placed on the Bridge of Remembrance at Christchurch by the Duke of Gloucester came from there. If Australia, or any part of it, sent a wreath to be placed on any war memorial in New Zealand, such an action would be regarded by all New Zealanders (except possibly Dr Thacker) as a friendly gesture, and would be appreciated accordingly. “Delegates from the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association to the British Empire Service League conlerence held recently in Melbourne laid a wreath on the Shrine of Remembrance on Armistice Day. We should have felt rather hurt if any one in Australia had characterised that gesture of respect and reverence as 'a piece of damned cheek,’ to use the inelegant language of Dr Thacker about Australia.