A GIFT FROM FRANCE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 117, 11 February 1919, Page 6

A GIFT FROM FRANCE

FOR WAR WIDOWS AND ORPHANS GENERAL PAU'S FAREWELL ' On his departure from' New Zealand General Pan sent the following letter to Sir James Allen, •.Acting-Prime Minister: "1 luivo just endeavoured to express in a telegram, which you-will have received before this reaches you, the profound gratitude of the French Mission for the hearty and cordial reception which we have found everywhere wo have been in New Zealand, a reception which I am quito well aware you took an .important and personal part in organising. "Permit mo now, On behalf of tho mission, as a visible, eveu ■ if modest, expression of gratitude towards New Zealand of France in this war, to send von tho enclosed gift of =Ciofl, • illy express wisli is that, the amount be distributed bv you in your discretion to tho widows and orphans of some of those New Zealand heroes, who, by giving their lives for the cause of tlie Allies, have at the samo time contributed to the saving of Franco from iho yoke of tho enemy. In this connection let,me say that I do,not pretend for one minute to repnv a .debt of gratitude. Noble people ilo not consider gratitude as a burden, and in this respect we. Irench feel as do uoblc people. Neither do 1 think that anything can lessen the sorrow- of the families of the fallen soldiers. Glory enlightens, but does not dry tlie tears of those who have lost beloved ■ones.' I should simply feel happy, as a Frenchman who has friends in New Zealand, if you would sec, and if your compatriots would see, in tho modest eitt attached to this letter, a. token of the sincere thankfulness of France.^ Sir James Allen has written.Jn reply: "I desire to convey to you, on .behah; of the people of this country, .and more especially on behalf of tlie widows and orphans of our New Zealand soldiers who gave their lives for the great cause, my grateful thanks for your kindness in forwarding your gift. lam sure it wil lie a great comfort to some widows and orphans to know that a French general lms left with me a gift which may. bo used to lighten the burden they bear on account of their dear ones who may be lying on the fields of France.". ...