Witty Diplomat CIVIC WELCOME HELD

Wanganui Chronicle, 12 April 1948, Page 4

Witty Diplomat CIVIC WELCOME HELD

“In the South Island, I am told. It will be advisable for me to emphasise my maternal ancestry and write my name: ‘R. McGregor Scotten,’ instead of 'Robert M.' ” This was one of the several deft touches of wit with which the new United States Minister in New Zealand enlivened his audience when replying at a civic reception to himself and Mrs. Scotten, in Wellington on Friday. Speaking of the Wairarapa—his residence is at Featherston —he said: “That sun-kissed valley, which I understand Mr. Mayor, is soon, when a tunnel is built, to become a suburb of your city of Wellington.” He bowed to Mr. Appleton. “Some things I was told about New Zealand I have already verified," Mr. Scotten went on. “They are the excellence of your toheroa soup, your whitebait, and your beautiful golf courses. The perverse pride of some of my informants in insisting that Wellington weather is the worst in the world has been proved entirely unfounded.” On the otiier hand, Mr. Scotten insisted that he was going to prove the fish stories true. Perhaps the Taupo trout had shown a nationalistic aversion to his flies. Certainly the marlin in the Bay of Plenty had preferred others’ bait. In another vein, and recalling the war, Mr. Scotten said: “I have been told that after the bloody battle of Tarawa, although the fighting force was American Marines, more casualty notices to widows came to Wellington than to any single city in the United States.” The civic welcome was extended by the Mayor (Mr. Appleton). The Government’s was voiced by the Minister .of Industries and Commerce (Mr. Nordmeyer).