CITIZENS' WELCOME

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 121, 24 May 1941, Page 10

CITIZENS' WELCOME

UNRIVALLED ENTHUSIASM

OVATION AND CHEERS

(P.A.)

AUCKLAND, May 23

No national leader could have had a much more tumultuous welcome from a New Zealand gathering than was given to Mr. Menzies by nearly 3000 people at the civic reception in the Town Hall. Australian "coo-ees," mingled with the cheers and applause which almost drowned the organ music as he entered with the Mayor, Sir Ernest Davis. The official party included the Acting Prime Minister (Mr. Nash) and the Minister of Supply (Mr. Sullivan).

Speaking on behalf of the citizens, the Mayor praised Mr. Menzies's leadership of Australia's war effort.

Mr. Nash recalled that Mr. Menzies had shared the perils of the people of Britain in bombing raids. He had interpreted the mind of Australia and New Zealand to the War Cabinet us no one else could have done, and it was fortunate he was in London when the momentous decision about Greece had to be made.

The remarks of the Mayor and Mr. Nash were endorsed by Mr. Sullivan anc the chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board, Mr. Hendry Luke.

Mr. H. Tai Mitchell, Rotorua.' offered greetings on behalf of the Maori people by singing "Haere Ra" and reciting the well-known war cry, "Kamatel kamate." which he translated for the visitor's benefit. Miss Mitchell then presented Mr. Menzies with two mementoes, an ashtray on a tall carved stand and a vase turned from a tree-fern trunk.

Mr. Menzies received an ovation when he rose to reply, and at the close of his speceh he was given three

cheers,