NEW ZEALAND PAINTING FOR MR. CHURCHILL

Chronicle (Levin), 23 November 1946, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND PAINTING FOR MR. CHURCHILL

Received Fridav, 7.1.") p.m. LONDON, Nov. 22. ''This is really iovoly and rhanuing. 1 niu deoplv gratel'ul tuni will always treusure this delightl'ul pieture, " said Mr. Churchill when Mr. VV. .J. Jordan presented him with a lnmlseape water eolour 1 »y Charles Kenneth Matkins, on hehall of the Oliurchill League, Gisborne. The presenlation was jnade informallv in Mr. Ohurchiirs room in the Com mons wliere the Leader ot the Opposition nieets to talk over allairs of IState with "a sluuiow Cabinet." .Mr. Ohurchill pull'ed contentedly at a long eigar whiie Mr. .lordan said: ''In all jiarts oi' ihe world your jiaine is a liousehold word .Mr. Churchill and in Gisborne they l'ormed a Churchill Leagne to aeknowledge in soine form your woiiderl'ul leadership in the dark Ilays of 1939/4(1. Knowing. your keen luterest in painting it was decided to iuvest in a tvpieal New Zealand water eolour. On behalf oi the people ot Gis1 lorne I niu asked lo eonvey to you tlieir undying and everlasting gratitude for the leadership you guve the .nation in its hour of trial and express their love and all'ection and sincerest wisli that you may lmig be spared to enjov happiness and good health." .Mr. .lordan aho read a letter whieh was altached to the bnek ot the painting and was signed bv Mr. S. Fnglund Giliingham, patroii and founder of the League, Mr. N. 11. Bull, president and Mayor, and -Mr. M. J. White, honorarv secretary. This stated that they hoped .Mr. Churchill wnuld reineiuber, in the yeurs to coine, the small band oi loyal adherent s and admirers in I'overty Bay, and added: " lf, as we hope, you and .Mrs. Churchill visit New Zealand, may W(; usk that this coruer of the North Island wliere Gaptain Cnok lirst landed, be included in your itinerary. " .Mr. Jordan also extended the greetings of the Prinie Minister, Government and .jieojile of New Zealand and added: "Vq'u know thfit the.invitation to visit the Dominion is alvvays standing." ; .M r. Churchill and .Mr. Jordan stood looking at the painting while eameranien tiashei] tlieir bulbs. Tlien Mr. Churchill said: "It's lovely. I am deeply toiiched by this gift from Gisborne and by the message you have biought. It is a very great compliment tind pleasure to me. 1 have always said Ihat in all her relations with the Motlier Country in peace or war, New Zealand has never put her i'oot wrong. The glorious men of the New Zealand Division, niarching right througli from start to iinish under niy great friend Sir Bernaril Kreyberg, have often received tlieir tribute from me. I eamestly hope that 1 may have some opportunity in niv lit'e to go as ftir as your beautiful island which always earries with it the all'ection and blessings of the British nation."