“A MODEST GIFT.”

Taihape Daily Times, 13 February 1919, Page 6

“A MODEST GIFT.”

LETTER FROM GENERAL PAU. ENCLOSES £IOO FOR SOLDIERS’ DEPENDENTS. Much has been heard of the kindly courteous iand thoghtful nature of General Pau, who visited' the Dominion recently. The. following letter- received from General Pan by Sir James Allen must serve to • add further lustre to the- fine ".character the distinguished visitor has shown in these parts:—- • - ... “I have -just endeavoured - to -express in a telegram, which-you will have received before this reaches you the profound gratitude of-the. French Mission for the hearty and cordial reception which we have found every

where -we have been in Now- Zealand a. reception -which . ..I am quite wejl aware you took an important ■. and personal part in organising.

“Permit me .now on behalf ~o£,tl)e Mission, as a visible, even if modest, expressions of gratitude towards New Zealand of France in this war, to send you the enclosed gift of £4QO My express wish , is that the amount be distributed'by you in your discretion to the widows and orphans .of those New Zealand heroes, .who,. Tjy giving their lives for the cause of

the Allies, have at the same time contributed to the saving of France from the yoke of the enemy. In this connection let me say that I do not pretend for one minute to repay a debt of gratitude. Noble people do not 'consider gratitude as a burden, and in this respect we French feel as do nobTe people. Neither do I think that anything can lessen the sorrow of the families of the fallen sdldiers. Glory enlightens, but does not dry the tears of those who have lost beloved ones. I should simply feel happy as a Frenchman who has friends in New Zealand if you --would see, and if your compatriots .would see, in the modest, gift attached to this letter, a token. of-•the sincere thankfulness of France.” ri-

- Sir Allen fhas written in ijeply:-

tT ‘ ‘ I desire to convey to you, on behalf of the people of this country, and more especially on behalf of the widows and orphans, of our New Zealand soldiers who gave their lives for the great cause, my grateful thanks for your kindness in forwarding your gift I am sure it will be a great comfort to some widows and orphans to know that a French. General has left with me a gift which may be used to lighten the burden they "bear on account of their dear ones who may be lying on the fields of France.”