WARM WELCOME

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 June 1941, Page 6

WARM WELCOME

GIVEN TO AIR FRASER IN BRITAIN TRIBUTE TO MOTHER COUNTRY. CAUSE WORTH FIGHTING FOR. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) (Received This Day. 11.45 a.m.) LONDON. June 20. Looking brown and fit after his Middle East tour the Now Zealand Primo Minister (Mr P. Fraser) arrived by air today. He was officially welcomed by Viscount Cranborne (Dominion Secretary), Mr W. J. Jordan (New Zealand High Commissioner). Lieutenant-Col-onel Sir F. C. Shelmerdine (DirectorGeneral of Civil Aviation), Rear-Ad-miral Sir A. Bromley, from the Dominions’ Office, and also the Prime Minister’s brother, Mr W. F. Fraser. Mr C. A. Berensden (head of the Prime Minister’s Department), accompanied Mr Fraser. A large crowd on the quay warmly applauded the visitors when thej' discovered their identity. Viscount Cranborne welcomed Mr Fraser, not only for himself but as the representative of New Zealand. He added that he was glad to see Mr Fraser safe after his long and adventurous journey. He was looking forward to consultations with Mr Fraser which would be a contribution of immense value to the Empire war effort. Mr Jordan said Mr Fraser would be as welcome in England as in the Middle East. Mr Fraser replied that he did not doubt that the conversations would at least be beneficial to New Zealand. He was glad he was in England, which from the air had never appeared more pleasant. It was pleasant despite German bominations. It would be more pleasant for the people of Britain and for the world when German tyranny had been overthrown. “I bring a message of appreciation and admiration for the British people in their struggle,” said Mr Fraser. “Their devotion, endurance, courage / and indomitable spirit have been shown in the front line trench of the battle for freedom. New Zealand is behind the Mother Country, the British Commonwealth and the Allies until final victory has been achieved.” Mr Fraser thanked the people of Britain for their kindness to the men of the New Zealand forces in Britain. They had been given the feeling that the British Commonwealth, their own Dominion and the Empire’s cause were worth working and fighting for. Mr Frasr is staying for the night with Viscount Cranborne and travelling to London on June 21. The aeroplane in which Mr Fraser travelled from Lisbon is commanded by a Canadian, Captain W. S. May. The first officer is an Australian, Mr F. A. Rowe, and the Flight Engineer is a New Zealander, Mr G. G. Lambert.