EXTENDED TOUR

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 November 1941, Page 6

EXTENDED TOUR

HIGH COMMISSIONER IN MIDDLE EAST PRAISE FOR NEW ZEALAND TROOPS. VISITS MADE TO WARSHIPS AND HOSPITALS. (By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright) (N.Z.E.F. Official News Service.) CAIRO. November 16. The New Zealand High Commissioner Mr W. J. Jordan, made himself au fait with the New Zealand troops in the Middle East. After a thousand-mile dash into the blue, he has come back very much impressed with the spirit and condition of the men. He said: “Having seen our men in their forward positions, I can assure the people of New Zealand that they have every reason to be proud of their soldiers. They are extremely cheerful in their wotk, happy in their companionships, and eager to engage ip the task for which they have been so well equipped.” In the desert Mr Jordan met military leaders and heard words of praise for the New Zealand soldiers. He received a thrill of pride‘as he heard Dominion soldiers call out from lorries: “Good old Bill!” After the dull skies of England the bright sands ©f the desert and the blue waters of the Mediterranean were a welcome change for the High Commissioner. Later, lunching with some South Africans, he found himself involved in the most absorbing topic of present-day discussion—Rugby football. On his way back he saw New Zealand sailors aboard one of his Majesty’s< ships at a Middle East port. He also met specialised New Zealand engineer troops, detached from their division, but carrying out a very important task, vital for the success of a* desert operation. The adaptability of the New Zealanders impressed him. Mr Jordan found time to visit a newly established hostel near Alexandria. The contributors to the National Patriotic Fund, he said, would indeed be very pleased to see how their money was being spent. On Saturday the High Commissioner lunched at the British Embassy in Cairo. On Tuesday next he is to inspect a parade of New Zealand troops, and will see New Zealand reinforcements at their training camps. Meanwhile he is having a busy time visiting New Zealand hospitals in the Cairo area.