WARM APPRECIATION

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20129, 26 December 1939, Page 14

WARM APPRECIATION

DOMINION WAR EFFORT

PROVISION OF FORCES EXPRESSION BY KING tJL'nr Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. New Zealand’s war effort was highly appreciated by everyone he met irj Great Britain, particularly the responsible authorities', said the Minister of Education and Health, the Hon. P. Fraser, on his return to Wellington yesterday. The formation of the Maori battalion had a special appeal and significance as being a contribution of a brave, gallant and loyal race.

The formation of the New Zealand anti-tank corps in Britain also appealed to tiie imagination of the British public.

New Zealand’s action immediately on the outbreak of the war in placing the ships of its naval division under the Admiralty for operational control was fully appreciated. The gallant and effective part played by H.M.S. Achilles in the fight with the Graf von Spee had been recognised throughout the world and was a tribute to the fine calibre of both the officers and men. Splendid Qualities The splendid qualities of the young New Zealanders in the Royal Air Force had been proved again and again since the war commenced. They had never failed and the British authorities had publicly- expressed their appreciation of the action of the New Zealand Government in handing over the Dominion’s Wellington bombers to the Mother Country cr. the or,'break of war.

His Majesty the King had expressed his very warm appreciation of New Zealand’s effort. He mentioned to Mr. Fraser during an interview with His Majesty his gratification at the fine achievement of the Maori people in raising their own battalion—an action in keeping with the history and traditions of their noble race, and he asked Mr. Fraser to convey to the people of the Dominion his pleasure at their fine contribution.