HON. F. JONES

Grey River Argus, 31 May 1943, Page 4

HON. F. JONES

TOUR IN ENGLAND (Special to N.Z. Press Assn.) LONDON, May 29. Placid cloisters in King’s College, Cambridge; quiet Ely Hospital wards, a memorial marking the point where the “Tory” sailed for New Zealand from Plymouth; and bomb damage at that famous port were seen by Hon. F. Jones, when he continued his round of visits to New Zealanders operating with the R.A.F., members of the Fleet Air Arm in training, and ratings on lease. Mr Jones made a special visit to King’s College to thank the Provost for the Colleges action in granting five scholarships to members of the R.N.Z.A.F., who were wounded and unfit tor further service. There are none at the College at present. Mr Jones dined Avith the staff and students. At Ely Hospital, he met sick and wounded New Zealanders. At the Fleet Air Arm training unit he talked with several New Zealand pilots, also Paymaster Commander N. T. P. Cooper, former Naval Secretary in New ealand. At Plymouth Lady Astor took him to many service clubs used by New ealanders. Mr Jones next morning addressed ratings in Devonport dockyards. and saw realistic training in. a gunnery school, where men work under war conditions, sheets of water being thrown over them, and shells firing as they work guns. Mr Jones toured dockyards accompanied by a former Dunedinite, Rear-Admiral C. Sinclair-Thomson, and met Captain J. W. Rivett-Carnac, D.S.C.. a former Commander of New Zealand cruisers. He called on the Comman-der-In-Chief, Admiral Sir Charles Forbes, and thanked- Lady Forbes for her interest in forming a club for Dominion personnel. -She was assisted by Mrs Sinclair-Thomson. . Mr Jones said: “Wherever I went, it. was gratifying to hear splendid reports of New Zealanders’ work. I was much impressed by excellent facilities at clubs used by our boys. I much .appreciate the untiring work of voluntary helpers to whom I expressed the thanks of New Zealand and the Government. I also was impressed by the great spirit of the English people. It is a spirit that will not be beaten.”