PUBLIC ACCLAIM

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 October 1938, Page 7

PUBLIC ACCLAIM

MR CHAMBERLAIN GIVEN ROUSING WELCOME HEARTFELT THANKS EXPRESSED MEMORABLE & STIRRING SCENES. PREMIER QUOTES DISRAELI’S WORDS. (Received This Day, 10.10 a.m.) LONDON, September 30. . Two hours before Mr Chamberlain was due, the roads to Heston were blocked by cars and pedestrians and a great crowd filled the enclosure. Notable people waiting at the airport included the High Commissioners for New Zealand, Australia and South Africa, Count Grandi (Italian Ambassador), Dr Kordt and Baron von Selzan from the German Embassy. Despite heavy rain, childen lined the roadway outside the aerodrome gates and waved flags. The Earl of Clarendon handed a message to Mr Chamberlain from the King as he stepped out of the aeroplane.Waving his hat enthusiastically, Mi Chamberlain responded to thunderous cheers, in which Lord Halifax led members of the Cabinet. Hastily prepared banners inscribed: •‘Welcome and thanks, well done,” were displayed at the aerodrome. Mr Chamberlain said: “There arc only two things I want to say. First, 1 have received an immense number of letters in these anxious days—letters of support, approval and gratitude. I cannot tell you what an encouragement they have been to me. I want to thank the British people for what they have done. Next I want to say that the settlement of the Czechoslovakian problem, now achieved, is only the prelude to a larger settlement, in which all Europe may find peace. Herr Hitler and myself regard last night’s agreement and the Anglo-German naval agreement as symbolic of the desire of our two peoples never to go to war again.” Holding up a paper, Mr Cha’fnberlain said: “Here is the document, which bears the German Chancellor’s name as well as mine. This morning I had another talk with Herr Hitler. CONTRIBUTION TO PEACE. Mr Chamberlain then read again the communique issued earlier, dealing with his meeting with Herr Hitler today. He added: "we resolved that the method of consultation shall be the method adopted to deal with any other question that may concern our two countries. We are determined to continue our efforts to remove possible sources of difference and thus contribute to ensuring the peace of Europe.” Mr Chamberlain’s speech was greeted with another outburst of cheering.

Before Mr Chamberlain’s car had gone a hundred yards, the crowd broke the police cordon and swarmed around the car, thumping the windows, cheering Mr Chamberlain and singing “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow.” Cries of “Well done Neville! God bless you!” followed. Mounted police gradually cleared the way, but for the first mile from the airport the car could move at only a snail's pace. Crowds waited for two hours in the rain outside the Palace, where Mr Chamberlain arrived at 6.50 p.m. and was taken to the private apartments and received by their Majesties. PALACE DEMONSTRATION. Ten minutes later Mr and Mrs Chamberlain appeared on the Palace balcony. The King motioned Mr Chamberlain forward. He stood in front while the crowd’s enthusiasm reached new heights. It was probably the greatest welcome of any visitor to the Palace. Earlier the crowd broke the police cordon and mobbed Mr Chamberlain’s car in Victoria Sitt’eet, delaying us arrival at the Palace by nearly half an hour. The crowds sang “God Save the King” as their Majesties and Mr and Mrs Chamberlain left the balcony, after which Mr Chamberlain had a discussion with the King and left the Palace at 7.12 p.m. The crowd in Whitehall went delirious as the car appeared. Mr Chamberlain, speaking from a first-floor window of No. 10, said: — “My good friends, tnis is the second time in our history that we have returned with peace with honour to Downing Street from Germany.” (An allusion to the famous phrase used by Lord Beaconsfield when he returned from the Congress of Berlin in 1873). He added, amid thunderous cheering: T believe it is peace for our time. We thank God from tne bottom of our hearts,” at which the crowd shouted: •‘We thank you, God bless you.” Mr Chamberlain, waving his hand, said: “Now I recommend you all to go home to sleep quietly in your beds.”