SIR HARRY BATTERBEE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 December 1938, Page 7

SIR HARRY BATTERBEE

ABOUT TO TAKE UP DUTIES IN NEW ZEALAND AN INDEFATIGABLE WORKER. FAREWELL GATHERING LONDON. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received This Day, 9.45 a.m.) LONDON, December 15. Proposing the health of Sir Harry Batterbee, who is about to take up the position of British High Commissioner in New Zealand, at a Royal Empire Society luncheon, Mr Malcolm MacDonald said that even in the light of recent criticism and at the risk of being assailed, he would disclose that Sir Harry Batterbee played outrageously bad tennis, but that did not mar the office of a man with such an outstanding personality, ability, doggedness, tact, knowledge and understanding, and such an indefatigable worker. The Dominions’ Office would be the poorer for his departure and New Zealand the gainer by his appointment as High Commissioner. No strengthing of An-glo-New Zealand ties was needed, but if there were Sir Harry Batterbee would be the man to do it.

Sir Harry Batterbee emphasised that in these days of trial for democracy the British Commonwealth represented democracy written large, and was capable of solving all problems—for example the Anglo-Eire Agreement, in which he was very proud to have assisted. Mr W. J. Jordan, presiding, raised a laugh by warning Sir Harry Batterbee, that though he was indefatigable, he would have to do his job in a fortyhour week.