“FULL OF ENTHUSIASM”

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 43, 20 February 1941, Page 6

“FULL OF ENTHUSIASM”

GREAT ADVENTURE AHEAD. LARGE FAREWELL. GATHERING. The official farewell by the New Zealand Society to Sir Cyril and Lady Newall at a luncheon at the Savoy Hotel was the occasion for the biggest gathering of New Zealanders in London since the outbreak of the war. Representatives of both Houses of Parliament and all tjie forces were present. Lord Cranborne represented the Dominions Office. Sir Cyril referred to the very great help and assistance that he and Lady Newall had received from the High Commissioner for New Zealand. Mr. W. J. Jordan, and Mrs. Jordan. No one, he said, could have been more helpful. “I hope that when I return from New Zealand I may he permitted to become a member of the New Zealand Society.” said Sir Cyril amid applause. "Mrs. Jordan says that I will have to marry a New Zealander, but on that score, -being already married, I asked for special dispensation.” (Laughter.! Sir Cyril continued that he had, day by day, been making the acquaintance of more and more New Zealanders. The other day he went down to see the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in this country. He saw them on the march, on parade, and in hospital units. Such experience as he had had in his 37 years’ association with the forces had convinced him that, the New Zealand troops were in magnificent fettle. "It is not easy to leave this country under conditions such as exist at present, but. I will say that we have a very great consolation,” Sir Cyril said. "We feel that we are going with your good wishes and friendship to that great, country pf yours, to spend five happy years there and to bring up our family there. We hope to be as useful to New Zealand as we are certain we shall enjoy ourselves. “We shall watch and help this

country in its great struggle. We will see the British Empire and her Allies advancing along the road to victory. We go full of enthusiasm, and fully encouraged for the great adventure ahead of us.”