"BALANCING UP"

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 20, 24 July 1945, Page 6

"BALANCING UP"

OVERSEAS BRIDES

WELCOME TO DOMINION

"Coming up from the docks, we thought Wellington did not look very different from any Canadian city," remarked the bride of a New Zealand airman, one of a party of 28 wives, 10 fiancees, and five children of New Zealand airmen from Canada, and two wives from the United States, who were welcomed at the clearing station this morning. The majority over average height, of excellent physique and attractive appearance, the girls have come mainly from Western Canada, and some from the Maritime Provinces, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. Some are from Alberta, and have come to New Zealand to be farmers' wiv.es. The destinations of the party range from North Auckland to the West I Coast. One of the high lights of their tedious journey south had been the coming aboard of the- " Pitcairn Islanders. The American brides were Mrs. Rex Potter, of Kentucky, and Mrs. W. O'Brien, wife of Flying Officer O'Brien, and a^ormer hostess at the Anzac Club in TBoston. Mrs. O'Brien, who is a commercial artist by profession and had her own studio in Boston was much in demand on the voyage out for her pencil portraits •of shipmates, which will be treasured as souvenirs. ATTRACTIVE AND HAPPY GROUP. "This is balancing up a little," said Mr. Jones, Minister of Defence, to the new arrivals. "You know that the Americans got away with a number of New Zealand girls. That is one reason why we're glad to see Canadian and United States girls here." . . . Sir Patrick Duff, who succeeds Sir Harry Batterbee as High Commissioner for the United Kingdom, and who had arrived by the same ship, had remarked, that he had never met a more attractive or happier group of girls, said Mr. Jones. The Minister expressed appreciation of the hospitality which had been shown to New Zealanders in Canada. Dujjring his visit there a New Zealand association had been formed in Winnipeg.. One of its Canadian members was present this morning and he had learned what splendid work, had been done in looking after the welfare of New Zealanders and in arranging hospitality in private homes. Good wishes were also extended by Mr. Martin Luckie, Deputy Mayor, who spoke on behalf of the citizens of Wellington, and for the chairman of the Harbour Board. "NEVER COLD—OUTSIDE." Pleasure at meeting so many Canadians • was expressed by Dr. W. A. i Riddell, High Commissioner for Canada, who assured them, speaking as a Canadian of five shears' residence here, that they had come to a country which had all the advantages of their own encompassed in its small [ radius. "It is never cold here —outside," said Drl Riddell, amid laughter, "but it is always, cold inside." The first thing you must do is have an agreement with your husband' that you are -going to look after the heating arrangements in your house. If you can solve the heating problem you will. be doing a real service to New Zealand. Mrs. Riddell, who chatted with many of the girls, also made a brief speech of greeting. "One of the nicest institutions here is tea-drinking," she said. "They have it seven times a day, rationing or no. It is a very enjoyable pastime and helps a great deal to warm the inner man in this country." She wished them great happiness in New Zealand. A hearty welcome was extended the party by Mr. C. M. Bowden, M.P., on behalf of the Leader of the Opposition. Mr. W. E. Leadley spoke on behalf of the R.S.A., and Dr. McDonald Wilson for the staff at the clearing station.

Squadron Leader Abernethy, who was ih charge of the party, replied.