French Viewpoints

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 390, 26 June 1928, Page 13

French Viewpoints

sir James Gunson Tells 0 f Visit to War Zone debts and restoration Q; sa ppointrnent at the failure „f the French people to realise their financial responsibilities to Great Britain was expressed today by sir James Gunson, in the course of an address to members of the Auckland Advertising Club. The point of view of the average Frenchman, said Sir James, was: "Yes, r admit we owe Britain a debt, but should not be called upon to pay * If Britain had not advanced us 'these sums, she too would have been "run by tbe enemy, and her inhabitants would have suffered our la -We found this feeling in existence rieht throughout France.” he declared. “If the people as a whole think in this manner you can appreciate the difficulties of her statesmen." In brief review, Sir James Gunson too k his listeners through the war areas in France and Belgium. From the former American general headquarters on the Swiss border he oassed down to Soissons. thence to Rhelms. where conditions, he said, were fast getting back to normal, and then into Belgium. •It is marvellous to see what has been accomplished by way of restoration in the war graves," said Sir James. ■ First, by way of grants from the Government, and secondly, by the local body administrations themselves.” The Menin Gate memorial at Ypres, and the New Zealanders' own memorial bn Messines Ridge, both impressed the Aucklander as “worthy of our glorious dead.” He also had a good word to say for the work of the War Graves Commission in France and Belgium. Commenting on Auckland conditions. Sir James Gunson said he was satisfied that 1929 would prove a record vear from a business point of view. •There is no necessity any longer for an air of gloom. The depression period is passing, and I am convinced we are already more than round the comer.”