FRENCH MISSION.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16426, 21 January 1919, Page 7

FRENCH MISSION.

GENERAL PAU RECOVERED

After a "week's confinement to his bed, General Pau was able to leave Dunedin yesterday, and, accompanied by M. le Commandant Andre and M. ( Bader, members of the French Mission, and hi 3 personal staff, he pas6ed through j Christchurch last evening on his way j to "Wellington, where he will join the ( other membors of the Mission, who went North on Tuesday last. General Pau has now recovered from his indisposition, and again looks halo and , hearty. Owing to his illness, no fur- | ther functions wore held in Dunedin ; aftor the departure of the other members of the Mission. . - The whole party will be entertained at a dinner in Wellington to-night, and liopo to leave for America as soon as possible, though their departure is, or course, entirely dependent on the future ■ movoments of the Niagara. All three mombore who • passed, through last - evening expressed their, appreciation of the warmth of the hospitality extended to them in Dunedin, and of the manner in which they were enabled to study the various industries of the South. 1 When the Mission originally passed through Christchurch, an official photograph of tno party was taken by the "Weekly Press" photographer, and General Pau oxpressed his desire to have a copy as a memento. Accordingly the Manager of the Christchurch Press Company handeel to the Mayor (Mr H. Holland) a mounted and an unmounted copy of the photograph, from which the General might tako his choice, and during the brief interval at the express last evening, Mr H°~ Jand took the opportunity of handing the photographs to General Pau, who selected the mounted copy. Genera l Pau expressed his appreciation of the excellence of the picturo, and cordially thanked the Mayor and the Manager ot the Press Company. (srxcuii TO "TOT PBES9.") DUNEDIN, January 20. Yesterday General Pau paid a short visit to tho residence of Mr P. U Neill,' to thank him for his long services as French Consul. There was no formal function of farewell when the three members of the party left by to-day's express, General Pau's own wishos coinciding with the medical advice to cause the abandonment of any such function. Before the train left a crowd had assombled roiincJ the carriage to bid the distinguished visitor farowcll, and as tho train moved . nut a hearty cheer was raised, lne General remained on the platform to the. laft to acknowledge the adieu. tie was obviously the better for his rest. the RECEPTION at kaittjna. On tho occasion of the visit of the French Mission to Akaroa, a number ot residents'of Kaituna erected an arch on the bridge and bedecked it with flags in honour of General Pau and his party; 'they also mot the party and cheered it. In connexion with tho demonstration, Mr T. Quealy has received the following

' et "l)oar Sir, —It was most kind of yon and your friends to meet the French Mission on the road in order to express to Us your friendship to France. j was most highly appreciated by us, and L desire to tell you all our gratitude. ■ New Zealand and France are now friends for ever. The common ordeal of war, the common victory which we now have reached, create between us imperishable ties. I am proud, and dare say moved, to see that the name of France is liked and cheercd so far away from my old and. beloved country. In the name of noble France, I thank you. —Yours very truly, General G. Pau."

TRADE BETWEEN FRANCE AND NEW ZEALAND. ASSOCIATION TELECJHAII.) •> WELLINGTON, January 20. Members of the French Mission met members of the Commercial Travellers* Association this afternoon. Mr 0. W. Rushbrook presided over a good attendance of members. Dr. Siogfried, who was received jwilh acclamation, expiressed regret at the absence through indisposition of General Pau. He hoped the result of the visit of the French Mission would be durable ties between France and New Zealand. France had been proud to be allied to such a brave nation as New Zealand, and that alliance would, he was sure, be continued on the battlefield of peace—the field of commerce. Proceeding, Dr. Siegfried said the' trade between France and New Zealand was- very small before the war, and, that was just because the French, and French products were not known. Now,' however, all was changed, and the New Zealand boys, when thoy came back, would be able to tell them "what were the real qualities of the French .people. The French had behind them the tradition of centuries in fino and artistic work, and ' there should surely be more interchange of goods between the two countries. He emphasised the advantages to be. reaped bv increased trade with Franco and promised fair treatment, and that goods would be "up to sample." If New Zealand wanted to come into touch with the French, thev would find that thev were in touch with a .people who already knew something of them. The Mission dosired to thank New Zealand for the > great part she had taken in the war, and at the same time to endeavour to < establish closer commercial relations between the two countries.

M. le Clerq Mottee referred to the trade of Northern France and how Germany had taken all products and machinery, ruinin<? for the time being all industry. Why? Because they were afraid of the French. Not only did'+hev take the marhinerv and material. Iv>t endeavoured to destroy the life of Northern France. For over four years the invaded provinces had xtood between the Hun and civilisation. The Kaiser and the German •pontile had now to realise that war did not. nay. and thev hnd to he made to realise this bv the French and tfceir .Allies keeping the trade between themselves and not letting the Germans have it.