TRIBUTES TO N.Z.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 90, Issue 56, 8 March 1946, Page 7

TRIBUTES TO N.Z.

FREYBERGS FAREWELL IN LONDON MANSION HOUSE BANQUET (Special Correspondent, N.Z.P.A.) London, March .5. Now embarking on a series ot leave-takings before sailing for New Zealand, General Freyberg to-day was presented with the Honorary Freedom and Livery of the Worshipful Company of Stationers and Newspapermaker-.'. This ancient company daces back to 1403 and had its hail destroyed during the war. At the invitation of the Lord Mayor of London, Sir Charles Davis, the freedom was conferred at a luncheon in the Mansion House. There were more than 200 guests, including Lords Burnham and Iliffe, Sir Edgar Waterlow, Colonel the Honourable J. J. Astor, and various traditions associated with the Mansion House were observed.

The City gold plate was on the tables in the picturesque Egyptian Hall with ancient banners decorating its lofty heights. The guests remained standing while the Master of the Company, Mr. R. K. Burt, Sir Bernard and Lady Freyberg, and the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress walked in procession to their places. NOT ‘‘AUSTERITY” MEAL The luncheon was off the ration, although with its citicken, sherry and burgundy one would not call it “austerity” except in comparison with the City of London’s pre-war meals. So great is General Freyberg’s prestige that speeches in his honour invariably recount his career, on which there is a wealth of material to draw. So the Master, Mr. Burt, inviting General Freyberg to accept the honorary freedom and livery, referred to his "outstanding” career, described him as “one -who has rendered great, gallant and distinguished service to the British Empire,” and forecast that his great contribution to victory over the Germans will generally be recognised by war histories. He ended by paying tribute to General Freyberg’s ability as a soldier, believing he would be a very popular Governor-General and declaringsuch is the Londoner's pride—that although General Freyberg was considered to be a New Zealander, he was born not very far away from London. This caused General Freyberg to smile, since only last week he heard Lord Clarendon say he was born in New Zealand. Sir George Wilkinson, who was Lord Mayor during the blitz of London, seconding the toast, declared: ‘“lt was from New Zealand that the first gifts came to the Mansion House to help those whose homes had been destroyed. Those gifts continued to come in an ever-increasing stream, accompanied by such messages of sympathy and encouragement that the hearts of all Londoners and the people of this country were deeply touched. “I well remember the New Zealand High Commissioner, Mr. Jordai, coming to the Mansion House after one very heavy raid and quietly handing me a cheque for no less than £60,000.” Sir George Wilkinson also paid tribute to the New. Zealand fighting forces and the fact that they won eight V.C.’s, while Captain Upham had won the "unique honour” of the only Bar to the V.C. achieved during the war. Turning to Genera! Freyberg, Sir George Wilkinson described him as a “very hero among heroes,” to whom no greater compliment could. have been paid by the King than his appointment 'as Governor-General of New Zealand. General Freyberg, who received an extraordinary ovation with the guests rising up to applaud him, said he accepted the honorary freedom and livery “as a token of your appreciation aril goodwill toward that gallant company of men whom I know you would wish also to honour.” “We in the New Zealand Division are very proud that during those early days of the war when this country was threatened with invasion, pait of our expeditionary force was here at your side ready and anxious to take its part in the defence of this country,” said General Freyberg. It. comprised 6000 bayonets with the most modern 25-pounder guns, and was concentrated just south of Maidstone in its traditional role of a fastmoving, hard-hitting force to counterattack on Dover and Folkestone. ENGLAND ALWAYS “HOME"

“Although the New Zealanders never had to fight in Britain, we still look back with feelings of great satisfaction indeed that we were with you and shared to some extent in the dangers and tribulation this country went through after the fall of Dunkirk.” said General Freyberg at a luncheon at the Mansion House. “When I look found in the Old Country and see lhe damage that has been caused, it makes one realise what, tlie people of England have gone through, particularly the people of London, during the war, and how much we owe to those men and women of London for their gallantry in carrying on." After references to the New Zealanders' experiences in the Middle East and expressing tho hope that many of their friends would visit them in the Dominion, General Freyberg permitted himself to prophesy: “1 don’t believe,” he said, “the day will ever dawn when England will rot be ‘home’ to the people of the Dominions and London—wonderful London—our common heritage.”