A Soldier Worthy Of Admiration And Not Sorrow

Taranaki Daily News, 27 August 1942, Page 3

A Soldier Worthy Of Admiration And Not Sorrow

Press Assn.

Wellington, Last Night.

"The sad news of the death of the Duke of Kent in ihe service of the nation is a very hard blow to our friends and Allies the British people, who, like ourselves, are so deeply attached to their ruling family," said the Belgian ConsulGeneral, M. Nihotte, to-day. "A blow to them is a blow to us, and therefore I am voicing the sentiihents of Belgium when I state that we are sharing to the full their sorrow and that they have our heartfelt sympathy. _ In particular those of us who are acquainted with the "proofs of friendship which we have received at the hands of all the members of the British Royal Family in our distresses both in 1914 and 1940 will feel this loss very keenly indeed. "It is only a few weeks ago that, jnaugurating the Begian Institute at London, the Duke was addressing us in the following terms: 'I am very happy to be able to-open at London a centre devoted to our Belgian and Luxembourg friends and Allies. I like to think that the bonds of friendship which unite our two countries are particularly close, not only because for the second time we are fighting side by side, but also because each of the two peoples understands and admires the customs and thoughts of the other.' ■ , ,. , "The Duke of Kent died a soldier s death. We have no right to give way to the sadness which threatens to overwhelm us. We have one right only; to admire him; and only one duty, to carry on his work. We must resolve to strive that his death shall be one step on the road to the victory for which he has given his life." A message dispatched to the Duchess of Kent by the Consul-General of Greece in New Zealand, Mr. T. E. Y. Seddon, stated: "The Greek residents of New Zealand respectfully tender you their heartfelt sympathy in your tragic loss."