LOYALTY STRONGER

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22339, 26 May 1947, Page 2

LOYALTY STRONGER

N.Z. EMPIRE INFLUENCE OF WAR BRITAIN’S STRENGTH (P.A.) AUCKLAND. May 26. A number of changes had taken place in New Zealand during his 33 voars’ absence, but loyalty to the Crown had not wavered. Indeed, it was stronger now than it had ever been, said the Governor-General, Sir Bernard Fre.vberg, addressing a large gathering at the annual Empire Day reception held by the Auckland branch of the Royal Empire Society on Saturday night.

11 is Excellency, who was accompanied by Lady Freyberg, said .that after the war he had prepared a list of the names of people who had helped or given hospitality to members of the New Zealand armed forces so that a letter of thanks could be sent to them. These people included English people in Egypt who had worked in service clubs, Greeks and Cretans who had helped our men during the war, and people who had worked in New Zealand clubs in Britain.

Boundless Hospitality

When he sought the names of British people who had extended hospitality to our troops, however, he found the task a difficult one. The Royal Empire Society had arranged for servicemen to be entertained in no fewer than 61.000 British homes. Furthermore, for every officially arranged visit there were many cases of hospitality given to our troops that had been arranged by the people themselves. He knew of one case where in one small home 500 Australian, New Zealand or Norwegian troops had stayed. This was in spite of the fact that the people were so heavily rationed. While he hesitated to mention individuals, Sir Bernard said he must pay a special tribute to the work of Lord Milne at the Empire rendezvous where sight-seeing tours and special itineraries were arranged. He referred also to the hostels organised in London and Edinburgh for Empire troops by the Duchess of Devonshire and the service clubs arranged by Lady Wellington. The efforts of Sir Jocelyn Lucas in arranging parties at which colonial people met people in the United Kingdom also did much to foster better Empire relationships. The 150,000 New Zealand troops that went overseas were also entertained a.t clubs in Australia, Egypt, New York, and Washington.

Troops Stick Together

Empire troops had stuck together regardless of the country of origin, colour or creed, said His Excellency. The Eighth Army was as representative a force as had ever been formed in the Empire, comprising divisions from South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Scotland, Yorkshire and India. They met in .their spare time and Sir Bernard said he now felt he had friends in every part of the British Empire.

Referring to the United Kingdom, Sir Bernard said one could not judge the country from the West End of London. Its great strength lay in the Midlands and other manufacturing areas. A visit to these parts showed what solidarity existed. There was a lot of talk about the country being finished. It was the only nation that would discuss its faults with others, and that might give rise to these statements.

Britain was like a young man who had lost all his savings, but still possessed skill and energy. Such a man could not be held down.

His Excellency said he had examined plants in New Zealand factories and had found most of the machinery British. The reason for its preference was that it was otten the best and/or the cheapest, but it had also been stated that New Zealand must support the Motherland, because if she fell the Dominion would also fall.