THE FRENCH MISSION.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 December 1918, Page 4

THE FRENCH MISSION.

WELCOMED AT AUCKLAND; By Telegraph.—-Pres» Anosiatie*. Auckland, Last Night. The members ol the French Mission, including General Pau, M. Andr/w Siegfried (secretary), and M.C. Commandant Daudre, AD.C, arrived by the steamer Runic from Sydney to-night. On behalf of the National Government, the lion. W H Herriea welcomed the visitors to the Dominion. Mr. Herries'speech was translated to General Pau by M. Siegfried. - Beplying, General Pau said he wished to thank those soldiers who had fottght side by side with French soldiers in Europe. These New Zealanders had shared the dangers with the French in the cause of right and liberty. Britain and France would always be brothers in arms, The war had united these nations, &nd there would ever be an alliance in the hearts of the people. The Mission was also welcomed byjthe Auckland Headquarters Staff, and, in re-, plying to Colonel Patterson, General Pau said lie was proucTto meet'the representative of that army that had made Anzac famous. He wished to pay a. tribute of admiration to these soldiers,' ■

The French Consul, M, 'Hipplau, also welcomed the visitors, -who will attend the races at Ellerslie to-morrow.

ITS OBJECT OUTLINED. Auckland, Last Night. The French Mission is being entei tained at the Northern Club to-night. One of the members of the Mission, who was interviewed on arrival, auiiimed up tSe objects of the Mission as follo\fs: "We want 16 find out how Germany did her trade here, and then to take her place." He said the time at their disposal was not long enough td enable them to establish definite trade relations in New Zealand, but they hoped to gather information that would formthe foundation of future operations. Another member said that IVance'a 3e* aand for wool would be increased, in the future as the result of the, return of •Alsace, where a large number of woollen manufacturers are located. Referring to soft goods, he said that at pre* sent most of the French - buying vas, done in London, but he thought there was a good opportunity for establishing direct agencies in the Dominion.

WELCOME BY ACTIttG-PREMIEK, Dunedin, Last Nigjhf. The Acting-Prime Minister lias sent the following message of welcome to the French Mission on a visit to Sew Zealand: "On behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand, I hid Jou, and the members of your Mission a hearty welcome. Your stay with 11s iB too short, but everything will be done during your visit to enable you to etrty out the purposes of your mission, end, at the same time, see something of the gifts nature has so plentifully bestowed upon this (Dominion. Thus, may you carry awav pleasant memories of £Ee homeland of those soldiers of ours who are fighting alongside the brave sons of France. We have come to realise the magnificence o£ tlie struggle your countrymen have made, 8M with such gratifying success, for their own liberty fcnd for the freedom of men and women generally. I. hope, to have the pleasure of meeting you in Wellington on youj; arrival there."