PLEASED WITH DOMINION

Chronicle (Levin), 23 July 1947, Page 7

PLEASED WITH DOMINION

■Press Association

MONTY SAYS NEW ZEALANDERS ARE LUCKY

Bv Telegravh-

CHRISTCHURCH, July 22. New Zealanders were lucky to live m >uch a country and with such opportuniies but they should give thought to the rpbringing of their children and mouhi :.he character in them, said Viscount Hontgomery when speaking at« a civic reeeption in King Edward Barracks this ifternoon. The time to build character, lie said, was in the home before the jhildren went to school for their formaj education. He felt that the building of eharacter was most important in develjping a nation. Viscount Montgomery, whose 15 min ute speech was more Uke an informal chat, was given a rousing reeeption from between 5000 and 6000 people. His quips and sallies brought roars of laughter and he had frequently to pause for bursts of cheering. More than 10,000 eitizehs were in the barracks and the streets outside probably held as many more. "Most sincerely I tender the city's warmest welcome to Lord Montgomery, ' ' said the Mayor, Mr. E. H. Andrews. "We join with other cities in paying tribute to the greatest soldier of our time and perhaps one of the greatest. of all time. He may be the equal of Marlborough and Wellington." Archbishop West-Watson said it was difficult to put into words the debt of gratitude owed to Viscount Montgomery, He was the man of destiny who was given to the Empire. The Priuiato recalled that he had known , A^iscount Montgomery 's father, Bishop Montgomery, a man of the same broad vision as his son today. In the years to come New Zealand could pay heed to Lord Montgomery 's message at Alamein "No retreat — none at all. Press forward." His message was aptly summed up in the apostolie words, "Fear God, honour the King, quit yourselves like men, be strong 1 Viscount Montgomery was oue of the greatest arehit-ects of victory and an inspiring leader, said the Minister of Defence, Mr. Jones. Mr. E. Orehard, president of the Christchurch R.B.A., also welcomed Viscount Montgomery. Thunderous ch-eers and musical honours greeted "Monty" when he rose to speak. He spoke of the welcome he had received driving through milys cr the city streets and said that he felt the welcome was as much a tribute to the fighting services as to him alone. "I must thank you for the gifts 1 am going to receive, especially tlie blankets, " he said. "When I left the North Island for the mainland (laughter) I was told that it would be cold and by Jove it was, but the weather over tlie past two days has been beautiful. " New Zealanders were lucky to live in such a beautiful country, he c-outin-•uod. He would not say what was its most beautiful place. Ile woukl reserve that until the day he left (laughter;. Wherever he had been* he had seen beautiful women, strong men and healthv children. The ftiqher south he riwent the more beautilul {lie women were (laughter). "You can do anything you like with such people and such a country. I am not saying you liave enough people. It is the kind of country T would like to settle down in. " (Cheers). Viscount Montgomery went on to urge his listeners to pay eare to the upbringing of their children, building character in the home before they went to school. The home was, or should be, the foundation of good citizens. Lord Montgomery coneluded his address with a few remarks to the exservicemen in the gatliering.