MR. GUY JOHNSTON HONOURED

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 150, 21 March 1939, Page 10

MR. GUY JOHNSTON HONOURED

Work For Netherlands Praised PRESENTATION ON BOARD MAETSUYCKER High tributes to the work which Mr. Guy Johnston had done for the Netherlands for many years were paid at a gathering in the South Pacific . Line motor-ship Maetsuycker at Wellington yesterday afternoon, when he was presented with the insignia of a Knight of the Order of Orange. Nassau., A very representative gathering of Wellington business men and three Cabinet Ministers, Messrs. Nash, Fraser and Sullivan, were present as the guests of the master of the ship, Captain J. H. W. Staal. Before the presentation the toast ot “Queen Wilhelmina and King George VI” was drunk. The vice-consul for the Netherlands, Mr. M. F. Vigeveno, said that they were gathered together in a Netherlands ship to honour a man who had done much to establish closer bonds of friendship and trade between the Netherlands and New Zealand. Mr. Vigeveno referred to Abel Tasman, who he said, should be looked on as the initiator of the excellent relations which existed between New Zealand and the Netherlands East Indies. Netherlands ships plied directly and regularly nowadays between the East Indies and New Zealand, and helped to keep the old memory alive, and, in carrying passengers and goods, assisted the people to get to know each other’s countries better. This made one realize the good economic relations and neighbourliness of the two countries. The K.P.M., in opening their South Pacific line, had fulfilled a long-stand-ing wish in New Zealand for a direct communication with the East. They had met with great kindness, both on the part of the Government, three representatives of which were present, and harbour authorities, as well as the business world. They were grateful for that, and felt confident that, though much headway had still to be made, they would be assured of the further goodwill both of the Government and the people. Mr. Johnston’s work in connexion with the establishment of the line and his services given during many years to the Netherlands interests in general, and particularly in assisting the honorary consulate in Wellington, had not been unnoticed in Holland, not even by Her Majesty the Queen. He then asked Mr. C. 11. Weston, honorary consul for the Netherlands, to present the order to Mr. Johnston. In expressing appreciation of the honour granted him, Mr. Johnston said he was particularly pleased because his father, who -was consul-general for a great number of years, had been created a Knight of the Order of Orange Nassau for his services.

Tighten Bonds of Friendship.

“We live in difficult times, and I think it is desirable and essential that the bonds that tie old friends should be tightened and- broadened,’’ he said. “In this category we can include the countrymen who Mr. Vigeveno represents so ably. It has been a great pleasure to me to do what I can to foster the goodwill between this small country and the Netherlands. Anything I have done I have done with pleasure and interest. I have had a loyal staff to help me, particularly Mr. Fernie, who hag for years done the consular work in our office. I wish to thank Mr. Sullivan for the goodwill and interest he has shown in the company.” Mr. Sullivan congratulated Mr. Johnston on the honour that had been bestowed on him. Mr. Sullivan said he himself had always taken a keen interest in the welfare of the line ever since the service was contemplated. There were bonds between the Netherlands and New Zealand, both historic and in names in the Dominion. There was also a great understanding of the people of the Netherlands in New Zealand. He trusted that the line would continue to grow and prosper and bind New Zealand a little closer to the country which was so much respected.