STATE LUNCHEON

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 September 1941, Page 5

STATE LUNCHEON

HOSPITAL SHIP VISITORS HONOURED TRIBUTE TO DUTCH MEDICAL AND NURSING STAFFS. “HOLLAND WILL RISE AGAIN.” (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. The warm appreciation of all New Zealanders for what is being done for New Zealand troops by the Dutch medical and nursing' staffs was expressed by the Government at a State luncheon, at which Commodore B. A. Potjer, commander of the Oranje, Colonel J. C. Gerards, chief medical officer, and other senior officers were entertained while they were in Wellington. In the presence of the guests, the Consul for the Netherlands in New Zealand, Mr M. F. Vigeveno. presented the insignia of the Order of Knight of Oranje-Nassau to Commodore Potjer, upon whom it had just been conferred by Queen Wilhelmina. The Acting-Prime Minister (Mr Nash) presided. Mr Nash said that New Zealand had a close relationship with the Netherlands through Abel Tasman, and the friendship of the two countries was being made greater by the work the Dutch were doing for New Zealand sick and wounded. When he had visited the ship all of the returning men had praised the staff, and he had learned three significant Dutch words —“Nederland zal herrijzen” (Holland shall rise again). Holland would rise again because no one could hold the Dutch under. Both the Dutch and the Javanese were glad to help the New Zealanders who had fought the Germans, Commodore Potjer said in reply. He described the voyage they made on their first errand of mercy, and commented that their visit to “this beautiful country” was one of the most enjoyable features of their cruise. Colonel Gerards said that the British Empire and Holland had always stood for peace and non-aggression, but now that they had been thrown into the war against Nazism they would go on to victory . “It is our chance to build for peace in the future,” he said, “and I hope that both countries will be successful in fulfilling this task.”