MEMORIAL TO WOLFE

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 992, 7 June 1930, Page 9

MEMORIAL TO WOLFE

PRESS DELEGATES AT HISTORIC EVENT SEE FILM SAME EVENING British Official Wireless RUGBY, Thursday. Representatives of Britain, Canada and France attended in large numbers the ceremony of the unveiling of a statue of General Wolfe, a gift from Canada to Britain, in Greenwich Park. The memorial occupies a commanding site opposite the Royal Observatory clock. The ceremony was performed by the Marquis de Montcalm, a descendant of the French general whom Wolfe defeated at Quebec in 1759. The Duke of Connaught; Mr. A. V. Alexander, First Lord of the Admiralty; and Mr. George Lansbury, First Commissioner of Works, were present, and there was a distinguished gathering of members of historic families associated with the occasion. A message from the King was read in which his Majesty expressed to the people of Canada his gratitude for their act of generosity, which had enabled so great an event in the annals of Britain to be fittingly commemorated on the historical banks of the Thames. CANADIAN CLUB DINNER A Press Association message says the delegates to the Imperial Press Conference who attended the unveiling of the monument to General Wolfe at Greenwich this afternoon saw themselves in a film in the evening at the Canada Club’s dinner, where descendants of the English and French, who contested the possession of North America on the battlefields of Canada 170 years ago, dined together. The Due de Levis-Mirepoix, whose ancestor defeated General Murray at Saintefoye in 1760, and almost recovered Quebec, sat next to Viscount Elibank, one of whose ancestors was General Murray’s brother. Two Wolfes sat at the same table as the Marquis de Montcalm. Close by was Captain R. J. Saunders, a direct descendant of -Admiral Saunders, who co-operated with Wolfe. FRIENDS FOR EVER

The Australian delegates were interested in the presence among the guests of Sir William Clark, High Commissioner for Britain in Canada, who represents the British Government as the Governor-General now represents his Majesty. “Why is there not a High Commissioner at Canberra?” asked one Australian. Sir Campbell Stuart, who presided, described the Press Conference as the most important assembly ever brought together in the history of the Empire. The Comte de Fleuriau, the French Ambassador, speaking in English, said his great-grandfather had fought against Britain in many parts of the world, and was twice a prisoner of war. France and Britain were now friends for ever. Lord Elibank described the late Sir John MacDonald as the first person who voiced the sentiment of Empire free trade. He praised Lord Beaverbrook for arousing interest and enthusiasm for that great cause. Lieut.-Colonel J. H. Woods, head of tho Canadian delegation, spoke in French and English.