FRENCH MISSION

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 79, 28 December 1918, Page 6

FRENCH MISSION

ARRIVES AT AUCKLAND. By Telesranh—PiTse Association. Auckland, December 27. The members of the French mission, including General Pan, 11. Andrew Siegfried (secretary) and 31. Ie Commandant D'Andre (A.D.C.), arrived by the steamer Runic from Sydney to-night. On behjilf of the National Government, the Hon. W. 11. Hemes welcomed the visitors to the Dominion. Mr. Herries's speecli was translated to General Pau by M. Siegfried. Replying, General Pan said that he wished to thank those soldiers who had fought side by side with the French soldiers in Europe. Those New Zoalandors had shared dangers with the French in the cause of right and liberty. Britain and ' France would always be brothers-in-arms. War had united theso nations, and there would ever be an alliance in the hearts of the people.

The mission was also welcomed bv the Auckland Headquarters staff, and, in replying to Colonel Patterson, General Pan said that he was proud to meet the representative of that Army which made Anzac famous. Ho. wished to pay a tribute of admiration toUhese soldiers. The French Consul, M.-Hippeau, also welcomed tlio visitors, • who will attend the races at Ellerslie to-morrow.

Tho mission is being entertained at the Northern Club to-night One of the members of the mission, interviewed on arrival, summed up the objects of the mission as follows-.—"Wo want to find out how Germany did her trade hero and then to take her place." He said that the time at their disposal was not long enough lo enable them to establish definite trade relations in New Zealand, but they hoped to gather information that would form the foundation of future operations.

Another member said that France's demand for wool would be increased in the future as a result of the' return of Alsace, where a larpre number of woollen manufactories is located. Referring to soft goods, he said that at present most of the French buying was done in London, but he thought there was a good opportunity for establishing direct agencies in the Dominion. GREETINGS FROM ACTING-PRIME MINISTER. By Telcßrftpli-l'rcsa Dunedin, December 27. The Acting-Prime Minister has sent the following message of welcome to General Pan:—"On behalf of the Government and the people of New Zealand T bid you and the members of tho mission hearty welcome. Tour stay with us is too short, but everything will be, done during your visit to enable you to carry out the purposes of your mission, and at the same time to sec something of the gifts Nature has so plentifully bestowed upon this Dominion. Thus may you carry away pleasant memories of the homeland of those soldiers of ours, who, fighting alongside the bravo sons of France, have come lo realise Ihe magnificence of the struggle your countrymen have made with such gratifying success for their own liberty and for the freedom of men' n>i<\ women generally. T hope to have (he pleasure of meeti'ii!" you in Wellington on your arrival ihcre."