State Welcome For Miss Helen Keller

Chronicle (Levin), 3 August 1948, Page 3

State Welcome For Miss Helen Keller

press Association J

(Per

WELLINGTON, August 2. "New Zealan'I 'is such" a fortunate land . where- thdte is ' no feal povert'y, wlierd the -people -are blessed vith sound bodies and long lii'e, and 'w'liere tliere is general liapijiness tliat does not rest so niuch on materi'al things as on a greatness of spirit," said Miss Helen Keller when roplying to a welcome extended to lier &t an afternoon tea at Parliament House. The gathering was a large and representative one. "Since you say others derive encouragement from.my eiforts for the handicapped, I. sliall ha-ve fresh zest for my labouiA -amohg -the blind and 'deaf' ih thb Ol'ient, ,;'she said.' Miss Keller was.' one of the greatest and most distinguished womeii ever vvelcomed to New Zealand, -said the Prime 'Minister, Mr. Fraser. Tlie Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr. Parry, said lie looked on Miss Keller as the greatest person in the world. The Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Holland, said she brought a message of confidence, faith and hoi^e. "In live continents Miss Keller 's name was almost legendary. Few uames were better known in the world than her's," said the Ameriean Minister, Mr. Scotten. Using a manual alphabet, Miss Polly Thompson swiftly spelt out into Miss Keller 's hand, Ahe remarks of each speaker. A scroll of welcome in braille and a bouquet were presented to Miss Keller by Mr." T. W. Tindall on belialf of the Braille Institnte.