FINE COUNTRY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 28 July 1938, Page 9

FINE COUNTRY

NEW ZEALAND PRAISED An interesting experience for the High Commissioner for New Zealand, Mr W. J. Jordan, and Mrs Jordan, on Empire Day, was to attend a luncheon in the crypt of the ancient Guildhall, Queen Victoria’s favourite “dining room” when she visited the City. Mr Jordan proposed the toast of “The Lord Mayor, the Sheriffs and the Corporation of London.” He acknowledged the honour paid through him to the Dominion, and said:—“New Zealand is prosperous, her finances are buoyant, and her people are thankful for the way in which Britain has helped them. Whatever is invested in the Dominion is well placed, and she is willing to meet her obligations at all times. New Zealand gives way to no country, not even Britain, in her affection for their Sovereign and the British form of Government.”

Representatives of the Dominion always appreciated the kindly reception given them by the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress when they visited London, Mr Jordan continued. New Zealand was especially proud of the fact that the present Lord Mayor, Sir Harry Twyford, had, for a time, lived in New Zealand, and with the other Dominions was equally proud that Lady Twyford was an Australian.

“I back up every word you have said about New Zealand,” the Lord Mayor assured Mr Jordan, when replying to the toast, for what, he declared, was the five hundredth time since he had taken office. “I have said it before, and I say it again, that if I were a young man starting out in life today I would go to New Zealand by the next boat. It is the finest country in the world bar none, and one of the most loyal Dominions in the Empire." Previously, Mr Jordan had addressed 1000 schoolchildren from the various wards of the City of London. They were gathered in the Guildhall, where they listened to the Lord Mayor, and sent a message of goodwill to their “brothers and sisters across the sea” throughout the Empire.