AKAROA EN FETE.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16417, 10 January 1919, Page 7

AKAROA EN FETE.

WABM WELCOME TO FRBNCH MISSION, GENERAL PATPS INTERESTING REMARKS. (FROM ovn SPECIAL BEPOBTER.) AKAROA, January 9. Tho visit of the French Mission made to-day a rod letter day in the history of Akaroa, and Akaroa rose to tho occasion splendidly. Everything combined to make the trip a pleasant recollection to tho visitors. Tho weather wns cool and enjoyable, tho countryside looked at its very best, and there was much in tho scenery to remind the visitors of the pleasant vales of the beautiful land which is their home. The first view of Akaroa harbour from tho hill-top was also an inspiring one, the rich colouring of tho water leading to many expressions of admiration from the members of the Mission. All along the route to Akaroa the people Troro gnthored fl>t Btmtppiir points to cheer General Pau and his party. Flags waved from every building, and cries of "Vive .'a France" testified to the cordiality or tiio reception. At sevoral places a halt had to be mado, tho people insisting upon conveying to the Mission their appreciation of the heroic nation which they represented. With tho exception of M. Henri Corbiero, tho whole of the party made tho trip, and they were accompanied by Sir James Allen, Acting-Primo Min- ! ister. Leaving Christchurch shortly after 8.30 a.m. in motor-cars, tho party travelled via Halswoll and Tai Tapu, through a smiling countryside, with people thronging the roadß at various waving flags and cheering. At Kaituna a halt had to, be made, tho local population standing in a solid phalanx in tho middle' of a bridge, which was gaily decorated witn bunting. Short speeches of wolcome were made and duly replied to. AT LITTLE RIVER. The next stop was made at Little River, wliero tho whole of the population had turned out to do honour to the visitors. A speech of welcome was mado by Mr J. C. Coop (chairman of tho local Patriotic Fund), and replied to by General Pan. The latter referred to the intense interest of the members of tlio Mission in' doming into a land where French blood flowed in the veins of many of tho people. A few bottles of wine were then broken, after which a troupe of Maoris, malo and female, attired in Native costume, sang "La Marseillaise" in their Native language. This was followed by a pretty poi song and dance, . which interested tho Frenchmen immensely. General Pau next inspected the local returned soldiers, and was then introduced to several of the residents, being especially pleased to meet those of French descent. In his address of welcome, Mr Coop assured the Mission of the goodwill and fellowship of the local inhabitants towards them. Ho pointed out that manv of the local residents were of Frenciv descent, and informed General Pau and his comrades that on the way to Akaroa they would see some of the finest grazing countrv in the Dominion. General Pau, speaking in reply, said the members of tho Mission were very grateful for their reception. It was not without emotion that members of the Mission came to this part of tho land, where the French race was sentod. They felt very grateful tf' Government of New Zealand fol ganising this trip. They, came, td part of the countjyy where the ij sentatives of the French people living, and wjiere these' people keeping faithful to their proud or •and at the same time were loyal iects of the British Empire, to w| Franco wa§ bound as the result of! war. "You members of the French] here," Gpneral Pau Baid, "are i j way the precursors of the Franco-] I ish alliancfe. You have in a certain / been the first French Mission to country, as we are tho present." G \ ral Pau went on to say that in the \ for possession of Bat&s Peninsula, \ French arrived a few hours late. / French bottlers had', however, bocj / good citizens of the British Empire. I ( French and British blood had a > mixed in their descendants, and t / , were now strong like the ties of fric j. • ship that bound tho two countries M gether. (Applause.) When the Mist f:j|| went back' .to France, they would •3® glad and, proud to say to their Gove ' jnont that they had found in this* -St tant country people of French d)ri(i t !s»|i living side by side. with the Briti \;|f which proved that the two races oo< vVss live and work together in good friei Bhip. "You citizens of the Frei V • race," continued the General—"we i Yc proud to learn of the magnificent ins .V ner in which you have in this counl i worked with your British comrades. "J will always koep the most charming a faithful recollection of the day wo nil passed among you. Ladies and gent men, we thank you." _ 1 Amid the cheers of the inhabitanj the visitors drove along the flag fa ' tooned street to the residence of Mr H. Montgomery, where morning tea was served. Accompanied by Mr and , Mrs Montgomery, the party proceeded oil its way to Akaroa. The warmth_ of welcome on the hills was a repetition of that on the plains, every house passed sending ita greeting in the form of' ' a waving flag or hand. At the Hill Top bunting was flying, and sightseers from miles around were gathered. Here "The Marseillaise" was playod on a cornet. , At Duvauchelle all the people were gathered on the road, the school cliilr dren being dressed in white. Flowers were pelted at tho party, and they had to stop and reciprocate the good wishes of tho residents. On the road was a neat design, General Pau's name being embossed in moss. ARRIVAL AT AKAROA. Akaroa presented a gay and festive appearance on the arrival of the party. The streets were alive with bunting, flags flew from every building, and crowds of people were in evidence eveiywhere. Cheers rent the air as the Mission care sped along. A Jialt waa made in front of tho Post Office, where a dais had been erected, and to this General Pau and his confreres, and Sir James Allen were escorted. On the platform sat M. Libeau, the last sur- , vivor of the original band of French colonists who arrived in 1840. At the back stood a number, of young ladies, who sang "Tho Marseillaise" in French, followed by "God Save tho King" in English. More hearty cheering was the next feature, and then followed introductions. # - An address of welcome was given by the Mayor (Mr Geo. Armstrong). Ho Raid words almost failed him in welcoming thoir visitors. The British residents'of Akaroa had.lived with the French for nearly eighty yean, and they had found them true as steel. That day the friendship between tho two races was welded closer than ever in the history of Akaroa. Akaroa retained its French houses and its French streets, but the original French settlers wore fading away. He believed he was right in saying that there was not one child in Akaroa which possessed a purely French father and mother. The French and British were iHmdedtoday, and they were proud of it. They iinpftfl Twnrty -mnra-Frcpch. peqplfl would

emulate the example of their, forebears by coming to Akaroa to settle. I he bo«t of French, and British blood luvd from Akaroa, and done their work Wnlly as sons of the early oolonists. To-clay Frailer was united with us in heart* and deed. Thoir men and our r?en had fought together tor the freedom of *t!ie world. . He hoped the comrelations tho Germans had vrith \'.i in (lavs «nno bv would now revert to "good Old France.-' "General Pau," •■aid hla Worship in conclusion, "I wish you to take back to France our wholehearted gratitude for tho beating of tho Huns. "\Vo.nre proud that our sons fought with France, and that you aro to-ffav a victorious nation." Mr J. R. Thacker (chairman of tho Aknroa County Council) said they were indeed pleased to welcome General Pau and hie distinguished yiarty to Akaroa and the Peninsula, wljich was one of tho most important and best grazing districts in the Dominion. Mr E. E. Le Liovre welcomed the Alispion on behalf of tho one remaining French settler, and of the descendants of the French settlers. These people arrived in August, 1840.' They wero treated with every respect, and worked amicaMv with the British. They were treated with British justice—(hear, bear) —under which all were equal. Tho "French puttiers toiled side l>v sido ivitli tho British to make the countrv of the brightest jewels in the British Crown. He hoped the Mission would provo • beneficial, and that when the members returned to Franco they would retain pleasant recollections of their visit. ■ - A home touch, which members of the anprociated exceedingly, was a velcomc to them exnressed _ in the French.. langungo. by Mr Lueien Boiicherie, an old' French sottler, though jiot one'of the original band. GENERAL PAU'S response. Great cheers rent tho air when Pau rose to reply:—i"We are !deeply grateful to you, we members ot the French Mission," he said, "for wur kind reception to-day." General Pau went on to refer to the beauties of ■ Akaroa harbour. Tho members of tho" i Mission had been delighted, he said,. ■I riot i only with the beauty of the : scenery, not only by tho fine colouring'- of tho water, not onlv by the find trees among] •which tiicv recognised the old trees of Franco mixed with the native bush or this country, but they also appreciated the bouquet of flowers presented by the ladies of the place. (Laughter-and applause.) But this was uot all that thoy wished to say. .On behalf of Franco and tho French peoplo they_.wished to tell them something of their country. "VVhcn the Now Zealand Government mrited France t<o send a Mission to these shores, tho first idea of # the French Government in accepting it was to m'struct its representatives to thank 'the . people of this country for the part taken by them in the war, and they •vfere instructed to take'tho homage, 1 tho grateful homage, of France to. the brave soldiers of New Zealand who Iyd in threo' continents, and made famous (.the name of Anzac, and afterwards fought in Franc©.in such a glori-ous-way for the safety of the Republic.. Unfortunately. many.nad fallen, but the New Zealand people might . % feel sure that their graves would be kept johaste. French men and women -would always look' after those graves. . Thejr also wished to express tneir appreciation 'of " "tho brave. New Zealand nurses whose uniform was so often seen in France. They wanted to thank all' New Zealand-

crs for their gifts, and thoir generosity in helping tho destitute of France, and all those suffering from tho horrors of war. It was intended to restore devastated France, \o make her what she was in tho past, and for that they felt they might be sure of the sympathy of New Zealand, as well as of their Alhos of the British Empire. (Applause.) Now'that thev had brought the war to a triumphant conclusion, now that they liad enjoyed the material benefit cf victory, and—so much bettor —the moral benefit, the time had come for them to work in unity not only for tho common benefit of the two nations, but for that of tho whole of humanity. The great source of war between men was ignorance, sind much could be dona for tho benefit of peace by bringing people to know one another better. One of the aims of the Mission was to bring under Ne-w Zealand's knowledge the true not the France which had neve? existed, but which had often been described as France, a description for thc Germans had been largely responsible—but the France which existed to-day and had existed for the last thousand years, because Franco had always been the one an.d the same jrood country. The more they had $een of New Zealand, the more they realised there was no reason why New Zealand and France should not bo good-friends. As they had come here to tell the poople what Franco was, so when they" went back to Franco they would insist upon tell-' ing their Government and peonle what New Zealand w£s, what a good people they had hero. French and British sottiers had settled hero together on psaceful terms, and there wr.V no reason why France and Britain, Ayhich had known one another for 1000 : years. oould not live on peaceful terms. "You aro tho proof,'' said the General, "and. we will tell that proof all over our country." In the course of further remarks General Pau &aid the members of tip Mission were much touched by the generosity of the Nev\' Zealand Govern" nient. Any information they wanted had been volunteered freely; everywhere they had had a cordial reception; and it was their greatest wish that a lasting and true friendship would develop between them. They felt they would not lose anything by their visit if that were the result of tlieir visit' to this beautiful Dominion. Sir James Allen, who was asked to say a few words,, said they wanted the Mission to go back and tell the French people that thoso boys who went to fight for freedom and liberty came from a country which was worth fighting for. (Applause). Tlfe C.Y.C. Band, which had specially come over from Christchurch, then played several selections. AFTERNOON FESTIVITIES. , After luncheon, tho members of tho Mission were taken for a harbour , trip. They wero greatly interested in the formidable cliffs near the Heads. ' A garden party at Qinako, Mr E. E. Lelievre's residence, followed. The beautiful grounds were thronged with a large assemblage, and "the C.Y.C. Band discoursed suitable music. Tho members of the Mission had to face the concentrated fire bf several score of cameras. Framed panoramic views of tho harbour were presented to the members of the Mission by Mrs Armstrong, and a copy of 'Talcs of Banks Peninsula," in addition, was presented to General Pau by Mrs E. E. Lelievre. In thanking them for the gifts Genoral Pau said thoy had experienced _ a charming day, . his one- regret being that lie had not photographed the charming ladies.

In the evening a dinner was tendered the Mission by the Mayor and borough councillors of Akaroa, there an attendance of over forty. Tho toastof "The King 1 ' was proposed by Jie Mayor; "The President of France, ' by Mr J. R. Thacker (chairman of tlie Akaroa County Council): and 'T* lo French Nation, and tho Frencn Mission," by the Mayor, ip place of Sir James Allen, who had to return to Little River. , . Tho Mayor said he had tnat uny proud of Akaroa, and the way tho ladies had tried to shako hands w lt-n General Pau, which showed Akaroa s appreciation of the French nation, in the past one's mind had been poisoned against France, but all that.was now altered. If the Mission represented France, then he said 'Long live France!" (Applause). He hoped would not be the hrst Mission to com here from France. (Applause).

"THE MIRACLE OF IHE MARNE." I General I'au, on rising to reply, was received with cheers. Tnat ua>: he said was one of the finest they mid had since they left l-'rance six mouths ago. (Applause). 'Ihov knew that ( the greeting went beyond them, to France, to their nation whicn had l:een fighting. The greeting bad been spoil- t taneous. They had otrered the.r hand £ and it had been accepted —tno spirit o» 1 brotherliness had been extended to ; them. (Applause). Tlio w.n was now practical! v ovc-i, and now diplomacy had to say its word. Enough blood and tears had been shed. History would now have to say its word, and it would say that on the one side there was a aa- 3 Lion which had committed every crime to win its object, and on tha other , 6ide wore the nations which had fought for justice and liberty. (Applause.) France had been unprepared and they had'had somo setbacks at the beginning, from which some poople thought , they' could nevor recover. The his- ( torv of the war would tell about thoso months of 1914, when they had to suffer setbacks. There was no hiding , the defeats, but tho.v showed they 1 must ever bo protected when they haa 3 such neighbours as the Germans. (Applause.) Fiance had nearly lost its life as a nation and its honour, but ' there was a justice above. There was a saying in French. "Help thysßif 1 and God will help tlioe." After tne ] first defeats they had the miracle of ] the Marne., God had helped them, but < it was because they had been able to J help themselves. Thus it was-, that the Battle of the Marne was not a miracle. Franco had been painted as a decadent nation to many who haa seen her rise to a height they had nover seen before. Iho people who accused lior of being a decadent nation ' were Germans. Fiance had stood up to shed her blood for a great cause— (applause)—the causo of humanity. France had not hesitated to shod her life for the groat ideal, which was the ideal of the British nation —the principle of liberty—-(applause)—which was the cause of civilisation. (Applause.) Between Franco and those . nations which had Seen fighting together for great principles, no treaty was necessary; their cause was enough. Between honest men no treaty was necessary—especially treaties which the Germans treated so lightly as scraps of paper. Then sprang uo "the Old Contemptibles,"-which the Kaiser must now troat as a nightmare. (Laughter and applause.) Then sprang up the free oversea- nations which understood that .if-their cause was to perish, the whole world was to perish with it. (Applause.) France's conscience was clear. Thoy did all they could to avoid war: -in fact,, they went further —thoy suffered humiliations to avoid war. Behind' pleasant words the Germans were preparing for a war for the enslavement of peoples besides which the enslavements of nnticmity were harmless. The Gentians thought they would fall to the ground at the rattling of the German sword. If it had not been" Serbia, it would . have been Morocco-r-they would alwavs have found a pretejet. .It would tnke too long to make a picture of all the .acts of inhumanity the German armies had committed. . He was trying to fina terms, to describe them in a respectable gathering ; in fact, one would have to go back to the earliest barbarians to describe their acts. They were not only" the acts of drunk with wine and rapino—they were the acts of the German system of which lie had years before attempted to'warn people. They were the principles of the Gorman text-book. - SCOTTISH RESOLUTION. At the Scottish Society's ceilidh last night the following resolution' was moved by Chief A k TV. and carried unanimously: "The Scottish Society of New Zealand tenders Its heartfelt welcome to General Pan and the other members of France's Mission to New Zealand and'prays God to bless the members of it and give it all the success it desires. The Society hopes also that the friendship that has l>een cemented between the two nations TCill last for ever." The resolution was r>R«sod with three hearty cheers for France. Miss Bessie Macdonald playing tho "Marseillaise;"