ULSTER PREMIER

Hokitika Guardian, 19 November 1929, Page 1

ULSTER PREMIER

AUCKLAND WELCOME.

'By Telegraph—Per press Association.)

AUCKLAND, Nov. 18

Lord and Lady Craigavon were accorded a civic reception at the Town Hall, Hon. Mr Donald, PostmasterGeneral, representing the Government. Replying to the welcome, Lord Craigavon said that he was sorry to hear of the shadow of illness which rested over the country in the laying aside—he hoped only temporarily—of the Prime Minister. He had know the Prime Ministers o 7 New Zealand for some time past, including the present one, and his late dear friend, Mr Massey, and Mr Coates. It was chiefly through the instrumentality of Mr Massey that he was here. He could hardly tell them how thrilled his wife and he were when they sighted the Three Kings, and were told that that was the first of the great country of New Zealand. It had been, the dream of his life to come here. For some reason, ever since he was a bov, he had connected the North Island with the northern part of Ireland. “This is an .entirely private visit,’’ said Lord Craigavon. * “We are heve to enjoy ourselves, and to take a rest after some fairly arduous years, ;the fruits of. which, I am glad to say, are known to the world. Ireland, north and south, is perhaps happier, more contented, and is containing a better feeling between all classes and groups than perhaps at any time since I was a boy.” He and Lady Craigavon, he added, would be going through the country in the North Island, and, he hoped, the South Island. He wished, if he could, to learn while here. He was not here on any commission. “I came away for a rest,” he said, “and with the object of escaping from public meetings and speech-making, but on the other hand, I shall never lie tired of meeting loyal people and shaking hands and having private talks. That I can do from early dawn until late at night, but I hope the people of New Zealand will take it that 1 am not desirous of public engagements if it can be avoided.”

Lord and Lady Craigavon will motor to Rotorua on Thursday, calling nt Cambridge en route.