New Zealand Day in London

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 34, 10 February 1937, Page 4

New Zealand Day in London

Distinguished Gathering V Celebrates 1 DUKE OF GLOUCESTER’S EULOGY. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. Received Tuesday, 9.50 p.m. LONDON, Feb. 9. The banquet commemorating New Zealand Day at the Savoy Hotel maintained the high standard of New Zealand ’s London functions. Mr. Jordan (High Commissioner) presided, the guest of honour being the Duke of Gloucester. Others were Lord Game, Commissioner of Police, Loudon, Mr. Walter Runciman, president of the Board of Trade, Lord S win ton, Lord Liverpool, Lord Bhrnby, Air. Malcolm AlacDonald, Sir Maurice llankey and Sir Richard Linton. The head of the table bore a model of the Alaori canoe Ao-tea, one of the first which arrived in New Zealand from fabled Hawaiki and presented by the Arawa tribe to Lord Ranfurly. Tho chairman read the Prime Minister’s and Lord Bledijsloe’s messages amid applause. The Duke of Gloucester, proposing the toast of New Zealand, testified to the pleasantness of his sojourn there and recounted his trip through the Dominion which was well named "Brighter Britain.” He added that democracy ' iu the Empire was not a worn out creed but typified the people’s life blood. In theso fateful days every part of the Empire could make the greatest contribution to the world’s welfare by peaceful co-operation, whili* displaying the torch of liberty and progress. Noteworthy indeed were tho happy rt !:i----tious between tho Alaori «,ml pakeha » bringing true tho visions of New Zealand’s founders when a mere century ago she was an outpost of New South Wales. Now she was a Dominion capable of playing an important part at the Imperial Conference. Hon. Walter Nash, in response, paid tribute to Dr. Peter Buck, Sir Apiraua Ngata and Timi Kara (late Hons Jamas * Carroll). He extolled every product of New Zealand from the glow-worms at Waitomo to Katherine Mansfield. Air. Jordan, proposing the toast of tho guests, proudly referred to his education at Saint Luke’s Poor ISchoei which he claimed played a part at least equal to "The Dinks” (Lord Liverpool’s Own), who played no small part in the victory in the world war. Air. Alalcolm MacDonald, secretary of State for the Dominions, responding on behalf of the guests, proposed the toast of the chairman. He displayed a *•- markable knowledge of Maori mythology and geography.