THE FRENCH MISSION

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 80, 30 December 1918, Page 4

THE FRENCH MISSION

PRAISE FCJR NEW ZEALAND SOLDIERS

THEIR DEALINGS WITH, FRENCH CIVILIANS

Auckland, December 28. Visit* weifcl exchanged to-day between General Paujjof the French mission, and (he Deputy-?S|ayor, Mr. Entrican. • Replying te a welcome, General Pau said that thet members of the mission greatly appreciated the hearty reception , given them oiti landing and the expressions of w'elconisi they had received. They had been com3(aiseioned by the French Government toi visit New Zealand, and on the- cessation of the influenza epidemic they hats taken the very earliest . opportunity of t( ailing for the Dominion. On arrival they l , found that a programme had been laid ■) ut for them, and they expected a good ileal of pleasure from it. Individual menra ?rs also desired to carry out the duties trusted to them. These included inquiries tending to form a closer bond between France and NewZealand in social* commercial, and other fields. Hβ had to express the warmest thanks of the French people for the great assistance |$ven by New Zealand in the war. The i people of franc? had learned to appreciate the New' Zealand soldier not only for his bravery and soldierlike qualities, ljrat for the cmsitfoi'ation which he had !■ always showu to tLe civil population whom he i-.-id to deal. '■■

THE DEEP AND'IheARTY THANKS OF FRANCE. General Pau sent lithe following reply to the greeting telegraphed by the Act-ing-Prime Minister (Sir James Allen!:— "Tour cordial wire I, which, by a delicate attention, was delivered to us by the pilot in the Auckland Harbour, was the first message of \welcoine to reach us, even before we .Jiai! set foofe on Ifco soil of your beautiful Dominion. On liehalf of the French inission I desire to thank you most heartier. We arc Siiiiy that unfortunate circu;jj stances hnve delayed our arrival, and'we apologise for the trouble which this \ delay may hf.ve caused to you. l[ny I ! «fay that we are delighted to be able to l >fome nt last by the first boat which" hfei reached Tvew Zealand since, so many \ty eeks from Australia. Let me hope thai! the friendship created between our twi> countries by the common fights of our 1 brave soldiers on so many battlefields t> o strengthened by our visit. Wβ i are proud to bring you the deep and Ibearty thanke of France."

A VISIT OF TH/&NKS. By Telegraph.—Prose Ativociation. Auckland, Den ember 28. Discoursing on the obja'.ts of the French mission, M. Siegfried, general eecretary, says the object is to thank the Government an|l people of •New Zealand for the help ttyeir soldiera have given to France in the ivar, especially in defending French soil .against the ruthless invader. The war ,hae established better relations betwiH-n France end Great Britain, and it is? the duty of all to foster this fine begisvjjing, intellectually, socially, and personally. New Zealnmiere are certain to visit 'France in greater'numbers than before, aod 'Jb'roncli people' will undoubtedly come-: to New Zealand to study social and -economic conditions, and for business reasons. The members of the French minion will profit by the study of the economic resources of .'New Zealand, and iiaey will) also consider the question of clever commercial relations between the t\ F|o countries. France will he called ltoon to deal with .veryi great social and! reconstruction problems as the result',of the war, end also because she is a '-(Iregressive nation, .and the experience iStF New; Zealand in social legislation is iertohv to be of the greatest benefit to her. "During the visit to Australia ijs>fi the ini6sion," said M. Siegfried, "we , were very greatly impressed by the immensity, of the country'and by'its great possibilities, especially as a producer w! rew materials —wool, , 'meat, and metaltj. I Kid previously seen Australia as! six separate colonies, but on a recent Ivisifc I was impressed by tho unity of' ther Australian nation—a unity which thel,war= has apparently done much to streng-.flien. The members of the mission were received in an exceedingly cordial spCi'ir, and we were delighted to verify u]sat Franco is looked upon there as a ffiand, and that the prestige of Franco as t herock of defence of the Allies has biUn. heightened and increased among all Isie Australian people."

WELLINGTON'S FELICITATIONS.!' The Mayor of Wellington sent the fclU' lowing telegram to General Eau at Auo'.fc land: "Citizens greatly honoured bVT.j your visit In their name I hoartil.Vr welcome yourself, and members of thefl mission. The bonds of friendship andfi mutual good will, forged oil the battle-1 fields of France, will never be weakenerr.it 'J.'ho illustrious French and the British j people will march side by side in the [■ cause of pence nnd freedom."

General Pan's reply is us follows:—' "On behalf of the French Mission I de-; sire to thank you and, through you, the citizens of AVellington, for your cordial telegram of welcome. The. ties between our two countries created by four years of common ordeal and glory arc such as can never be severed. The French Mission will deem it an honour to convey, to Keir Zealand the deep and sincere gratefulness of France.—(Signed) General Pau."