AN ENVOY OF PRANCE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 253, 13 July 1918, Page 9

AN ENVOY OF PRANCE

CIVIC RECEPTION . THE BONDS OF FRIENDSHIP 'A , civio reception wns accorded (o M. Chayet, lately Consul-General for France in Australia, in (he- council chamber (tithe Town Ilall yesterday. There was u. ' representative attendance of citizen* The Mayor (Mr. ,\, V. Luke) presided. The llnyor said that the purpose ut' tho gathering was tu louder a welcome to a very capable representative of our went Allies, the French people. J[. Chayet, he said, had hail nmplp opportniii'ti-s while he held his position of ConsulGeneral in Australia not only to keep alive, but (o strengthen ' the strong bond of friendship between his own nation and the British people iir these far dominions of the Empire. It was only proper that ho should be accorded ii ! very hearty v.elooinc to this city. *(Ap-1 plause.) M, Chayet was going lo hfe | ■up a new position in Central America, ! and no more important place could havo i been chosen for his activities at the pro- ' sent time. There could, be no doubt that before tho war tho aspirations of the Germans were for an extension of their Empire in, South America, and that if they could have been assured of the realisation of those desires of, theirs this war need not havo been fought. Their guest, in going to Central America, was going not only to represent France but to represent the Entente. '" Ho, was snro that the British pooplo would feel confident that he would carry out his work well in that sphere. On behalf of the people of Wellington he (the Mayor) would tender to r 51. Chayet welcome and good wishes as 'the representative of the people who had done so muoh and suffered so much in this war. and who- had never missed an opportunity of showing kindness to the (Soldiers of this Dominion now fighting on tho West front. (Applause.) Dr. A. K. Newman, 11. F., who was next called upon, to speak, said that it had been his privilege some eighteen months ago to visit France. He had there seen how badly the French people had been hit by the. war. AH that lie. wished to say was that ho hoped tho people of New Zealand would subscriba freely to tho fund that was now being raised for tho alleviation of tho sufferings of those of the French nation who had been made to suffer the most cruel hardships on account of tho war. Captain Barclay said that he took It iis a great privilege to join in the welcome to M. Cha.vet. It was not liews|sary for him to say anything about tiio jidmiration they all had for the French. To Franco wo wero indebted for overything—civilisation, liberty, _ literary beauty, pootry, charm, everything that made life worth living for we coulrt trace back, to the French nation. Nc.v Zealand -was .-greatly privileged that day to have the opportunity of expressing its admiration, its reverence, for the great people of France, the people who could jiot be dismayed, the people of whom the Germans were eminently afraid. (Applause.). Captain Uiirclay concluded Ly offering to M. Chayet a welcome in the language of tho visitor's native country, expressing the affection and abiding admiration of the people of New Zealand for the great nation of France. M. Chayet was grcoted with a hearty roiindof applause when he rose to speak. Eβ said that when he had thought of visiting New Zealand he had not known anything of the people of this country, , and ho certainly had not known 'how good-hearted tluy were. He had not, of course, expected to be tendered such a compliment as a civio reception in tho capital city of the country. He could scarce find words to express his gratitude for such a hearty wclcomo to this beautiful city. The Jluyoi , had made mention of tho fact that ho had had some- j thing to do in Australia on his mission there with (strengthening the bonds of friendship between his own country and the peoplo of these far distant Dominions. Ho had been surprised to find when ho | went to Australia that a lot of wrong idsns about the French peoplo had been ( spread, probab]y by the people who wero . now our enemies. Tho,French colonies ', In the Pacific had not unfortunately been t of sufficient strength to balance tho influence . of ,the, Germans in these seas. , Our enemies had contrived to give to the j French a reputation which they did not ] deserve, but when (ho war broke oiit j they had showed their true quality. Tt Lad been tho pleasure of tho Mayor lo . make some kind references to the work s of tho French Army, and it was his own 'j pleasure, as it was. his duty, to recognise 1 for his part, !ho splendid deeds of the . brave and men from these ! (Dominions in the l'acific. Dr. Newman had referred to tho appalling conditions which had been produced in parts of France by the "war. .Uu | wished to express his gratitude to tho I peoplo of Wellington for having-organised ( b. recognition of France's Day, and for i taring established a fund for Iho relief 1 ,of tho victims of tho Oivar in France. 1 When he vra? in Sydney lie had frequent- i ly had evidence of the cordiality of I he welcome extended to soldiers oi' Franco passing through this country, and of the kindness shown to them by the military and tho civil authorities. • For this he j wished to lender l!innks>. The French people would not forgot Miis kindness. He would not miss an opportunity of let- ' ting his Government and his friends in \ Franco know how well the New Zealand- <

ers wore in the habit of treating visitjng soldiers of France. Ho concluded by repeating his thanks for tho cordial welcome ottered to him, and by wishing this young country, and especially tho city of Wellington, happiness and prosperity in tho tuture. (Applause.) After tho ceremony had concluded Mr. J. ilutchcion called for tho French patriotic cheer "Vivo Iα France," and those in tho assemblage who dared Ihe words in tho unknown language joined him in tho rally. The company afterwards took morning tea in the Mayor's room.