FORESTRY UNITS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 July 1941, Page 6

FORESTRY UNITS

VISITED BY MR FRASER SOME HAPPY ENCOUNTERS. DEMAND FOR NEW ZEALAND TOBACCO. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, 11.15 a.m.) LONDON, July 15. The New Zealand Prime Minister (Mr P. Fraser), standing on a log at a New Zealand constructed and designed sawmill in Wiltshire, talked with 200 men of the New Zealand Forestry Unit for half an hour, telling them of the experiences of "our mates” in the Middle East. The men. leaning on their rifles and smoking, listened attentively. Mr Fraser, shook hands with everyone. Messrs Fraser and W. J. Jordan (High Commissioner), in their shirt sleeves, were photographed sawing a log. A roar of laughter greeted a wag's query: "Are you happy in your work?” A bigger roar followed Mr Jordan’s unhesitating reply: "No, we want New Zealand tobacco!" This rejoinder delighted the men, who presented a deputation to Mr Fraser and discussed the shortage of tobacco and other subjects, including their desire to be transferred to the Middle East. Mr Fraser next visited a mill in Gloucestershire, where he was greeted by Field Marshal Lord Birdwood, who lives nearby and is a frequent visitor to the camp. Mr Fraser shook hands with fifty queued-up men and repeated his talk. The men at this mill also sent a deputation to Mr Fraser with similar requests. Lord Birdwood said: “I know Now Zealand troops jolly well. There are none better in the world. I am not surprised at their behaviour in Greece." Mr Fraser later met newly-arrived New Zealand airmen of an operational training unit. They are learning to fly Wellingtons. MT Fraser, on route to Swansea, called on Lord and Lady Bledisloe, at Lydney Park.