MR AMERY'S VISIT

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19171, 30 November 1927, Page 9

MR AMERY'S VISIT

TODAY'S PROGRAMME. MANY ENGAGEMENTS. r Unusual intcrost attnches to the visit to Christchurch of the Right Hon. L. S. Aniery, Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs in tho British Cabinet, who, with Mrs Amery, arrives from Wellington this morning. It is tho first occasion that a member of tho Imperial Cabinet has visited Now Zealand while still in office, aud additional importance is given >bv the fact that Mr Amery is tho Secretary of Stato for Dominion Affairs, and also chairman of tho Empire Marketing Board, in tho operations of which the primary producers of Now Zealand, as well as those of other British oversea Dominions, nro keenly interested. , Mr Amery and his party left Ei: gland in July, and South Africa and Australia have been visited. After concluding his visit to New Zealand. Mr Amery will visit Canada, and will stay there for a month in January next year. The staff accompanying Mr Amory includes: Captain W. Brass, M.P., Parliamentary Secretary to Mr Amery; Mr G G. Whiskard, C.8., Dominions' Office Secretary; and Mr G. Huxley, secretary of affairs connected with tho Empire Marketing Board. To-day's Arrangements. Much disappointment has been expressed that circumstances will not permit Mr Amery to spend moro than one day in Christchurch. As a consequence, a somewhat exacting programme has been arranged. , , ~, On arrival of the ferry train at tho Christchurch railway station, Mr and Mrs Amery and party will bo met by the Mayor (Mr J. K. Archer) and by members of the Citizens' Reception Committee. The visitors will go to their hotel (Warner's). After breakfast the programme will be as follows: Between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m.—Visit Woolston Tanneries and Now Zealand Glue Company's works. , 10.30 a.m.—Visit Girls' High School. 11 a.m.—Visit Christ's College. 11.30 a.m.—Visit Canterbury College. If time permits between the yisit to Canterbury College and the civic reception, Mr Amery will visit the wool sale in progress at the Choral Hall, 12 noon—Civic reception by tho Mayor in the City Council Chambers. The public are cordially invited to attend this ceremony. 1 p.m.—Citizons' luncheon at the Art Gallery. Entrance from' Durham street, not Armagh street as stated on the tickets. Tho doors will be opened at 12.30 in order to avoid congestion and so that all may be seated a few minutes before 1 o'clock. Only a few those at the head table—will bo reserved: ticket-holderß may select their own seats. Thero will be only one toast in addition to the King, that of "Our Guest," which will be proposed by Mr J. A. Flcshor, and responded to by Mr Amory. 2.30 p.m.—Meeting of farmers lit City Council Chambers. Addressoß will be given by Mr Amory and by Mr W. J. Poison, Dominion president of the Far mers' Union. 3 p.m.—Victoria League's garden party at Riccarton House, the rosidenc( of Mrs Deans. Mrs Amery will attend and Mr Amery will bo present after tin conclusion of the farmers' meeting. 6 p.m.—Canterbury branch of tlv Royal Colonial Institute. Dinner to M Amery at the United Service Hotel. ' 7 p.m.—Mr Amery will meet ox-Impe rial soldiers at R.S.A. Club rooms. 7.30 p.m.—Mr Amery will formall open the Christmas Fair of the R.S.A. '■ 8 p.m.—Public meeting In Theatn 1 Royal. The Mayor (Mr J. K. Archer 1 will preside. Mr Amery will speak oi • Empire marketing and other Imperia \ questions of special interest to Nev 1 Zealanders. Doors will be open at ' p.m., and when thevhouse is full th< doors will be closed. No seat will b< reserved; time who attend early maj select their own seats in any part oi the theatre with the exception of th( - boxes. Those who will occupy seats oi the stage are requested to be seatet not later than 7.50 o'clock, as thosi responsible for the arrangements ar< most desirous that proceedings shoulc i begin punctually at 8 o'clock. It ii desired also to avoid interruptions du< to late arrivals. Mr Amery and party will leave to morrow morning by the 8.50 o'clock ex 1 press for the south.

SALONIKA, 1916. MR AMBRY ON ACTIVE SERVICE. Mr G. W. Gambles, now of Christchurch, was attached to the Intelligence Department, General Head, quarters, at Salonika, in 1916. » charge," he relates, "there waa a somewhat fiery colonel, and when a cable arrived from London, intimating the impending arrival at Salonika or Captain Amwy, the colonel swore roundly that he would not have a damned politician in the branch! No more than a week had passed when the colonel had changed his views completely, and was applying to Captain Amery for information regarding his own job. "Mr Amery is a most popular man with everybody, cultured, easily approached, and he possesses a most charming personality. He had not been at Salonika for long whenthe-ap-proaching General Election in England demanded his return to the Old Country Everyone in the branch Baia goo'd-bye to him, not expecting to see him again. Within four days, he returned, having lost a 1 his. papers, also his clothes. The explanation was that on the way home his ship was torpedoed. Amongst tho passengers was a distinguished general. _ The suomarine gave them a certain amount or time to take to the boats, the general, in full uniform, having with rum a large number of private dispatches. He was captured and taken out of the boat. In the meantime, Captain Amery had gone below, blackened his race and bands, and donned overalls. He then occupied the general's vacato.l place in the boat, and thus a.very much more important man was able to mako his escapo more quickly. Of more personal reminiscences or Mr Amery during his stay at Salonika Mr Gambles has manv to tell. Al» though not a professional soldier himself, Mr Amery could teach soldiers their job," states Mr Gambles. "There are manv instances of little actions he was in the habit of performing that crreatlv endeared him to all ranks, alike. On one occasion, several of us were preparing' to turn in in the office in which Captain Amery was working —he often worked until after midnight —and, noting our preparations, he simply apologised and cleared out."