LORD MONTGOMERY

Wanganui Chronicle, 24 July 1947, Page 5

LORD MONTGOMERY

AT GREYMOUTH IS

GIvEN WARM WELCOME (P.A.) Greymouth, July 27.

Field-Marshall the Viscount Montgomery, was greeted in Grey mouth to-day by one of the largest crowd; to assemble in the town. After a journey from Christchurch via tne Lewis Pass, Viscount Montgomery experienced perfect weather for his visit. He lunched at the Maruia Springs Hostel from where frozen snow on the road delayed progress. At one stage one of the cars in the convoystuck, but was able to continue without prolonged delay. At Reefton, the whole town turned out to welcome Viscount Montgomery, who waved from an open car. Along the West Coast, every country school offered greetings, Monty slowing his car to a walking pace to return the greetings. At Ahaura, he transferred to a closed car, but again used an open car before his arrival at Greymouth, where streets gay with bunting and a crowd of upwards of 5000 welcomed him.

At the Regent Theatre, Mr. F. A. Kitcningham, the Mayor, met the visitor. The Mayor reierred to Greymouth’s two V.C.’s, F. Erikleton and J. Hinton, and to the esteem in which Viscount Montgomery was held by the public of New Zealand. Mr. O. McLean, president of the Returned Services’ Association, presented Viscount Montgomery with a polished Scotch thistle, made of greenstone. He also welcomed the visitor on behalf of the association.

The Mayor of Hokitika, Mr. A. R. Elcock, on behalf of residents of that district, also extended a welcome. In a fluent address, the Minister of Defence, Mr. Jones, associated with Greymouth in the welcome and expressed regret that Mr. O’Brien, Member for Westland, was unable to attend because of illness.

Viscount Montgomery arose to speak amid cheers. “Every place I go in New Zealand seems better than the place before.” He considered the warmth of the welcome as a tribute, not only to himself, but to all who served in the Forces. The women of Westlanffi which he considered one of the loveliest places on the “Mainland” of New Zealand, were even lovelier than in other parts he visited. The address followed the lines of those in other centres, emphasising the importance of the rising generation and of the right home training. He extolled the Dominion’s natural advantages which, perhaps, the inhabitants could fully realise only if they were able to go abroad and make the comparisons which visitors could make. Viscount Montgomery’s car proceeded to the hotel surrounded by throngs.

“I maintain that Christianity in the home is an essential foundation for the schoolmasters to have something to work on, said Viscount Montgomery, when interviewed to-night. Tired after a long day and with the prospect of another long day to-mor-row, the Field-Marshal granted the interview while in bed. He added that strength of character could only be built in the home and a strong character meant a strong nation. “Production is as essential as lightl- - men,” he said. “Some go and fight and some get on with production. “A man who worked in the coal mines was doing as much to win the war as a man killing Germans with a bayonet, hesaid. During the war prior to the opening of the sec fid front, he had addressed workers in the factories, dockers, railwaymen as well as members of the Armed Forces. With the realisation that production was essential to victory, the whole nation had to work as a team, a national team, a close link had joined soldiers, sailors, airmen and workers on the home front. He said coal was still as vital as ever in sngland’s production as it was in New Zealand.

“I have seen more of New Zealand than most people who live in NewZealand.” said iscount Montgomery. “When time is short I would rather meet people than see glaciers,” he said, when asked if he would be able to visit Westland’s glaciers. “People make a nation, but glaciers don’t count. I believe you get the atmosphere of a nation from its people and by meeting people. People interest me very much.” Viscount Montgomerie will leave Greymouth early to-morrow morning by car for Westport, from where he will go to Nelson by pjane and, later in the day, travel to Blenheim where he will spend the night, leaving the next day for the North Island.