TASMAN ANNIVERSARY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 December 1942, Page 6

TASMAN ANNIVERSARY

NOTEWORTHY GATHERING IN LONDON NEW ZEALAND AND DUTCH REPRESENTATIVES. HOPES OF LASTING CO-OPERATION. (Special P.A. Correspondent.) LONDON. December 13. The tercentenary of Tasman’s landing in New Zealand was celebrated by New Zealanders and Netherlanders at the New Zealand Forces Club, where the New Zealand High Commissioner, Mr. Jordan, welcomed Queen Wilhelmina’s personal representative, Rear-Admiral Baron Devos van Stenwijk, and also Jonkheer Micheils van Verduynen, who is Netherland Minister in London, and six members of the Netherlands Government, including the Foreign Minister, Mr. van Kieffens.

The New Zealand colony in London was well represented. Also present were Air-Commodore L. M. Isitt, Brigadier R. S.'Park and Sir Claude James, Agent-General for Tasmania. New Zealanders serving with all the forces mingled with Nethelands army and navy personnel and also sailors from Tahiti. They packed the balcony of the clubroom for the speeches and then mixed together for tea. The British and Dutch national, anthems were played, after which Mr. Jordan expressed gratitude to Queen Wilhelmina for • being personally represented and made reference to the celebrations now being held in New Zealand.

He read a message from, the Prime Minister, Mr. Fraser, who stated: “We are proud of Tasman’s countrymen, our Allies, to whom we send cordial greetings. We have sincere admiration and respect for the gallant part they are playing in the present world struggle against tyranny and repression. It is our hope that the next 100 years will show a record of close and generous co-operation between the British and : Netherlands people in the task of world j reconstruction, particularly in Europe and the Pacific.” Mr. Jordan also made reference to trade between New Zealand and the Netherlands as being "only temporarily interrupted by the war.” Mr. van Klefi’ens, replying, referred to his visit to New Zealand, adding, “I know what New Zealand hospitality means.” He traced Tasman's discovery of Tasmania and New Zealand and paid a tribute to the Maoris, emphasising the part they are playing in the present war in carrying on the traditions of their forefathers. Queen Wilhelmina, he said, took a deep interest in all that concerned New Zealand’s well-being. Mr. van Klefi’ens amusingly referred to Mr. Fraser’s apology that, because of the war, the tercentenary celebrations would be ■‘modest” —even so they extended from December 9 nearly to Christmas. Queen Wilhelmina was graciously pleased to accept the patronage of the newlyopened Abel Tasman Park. Mr. van Klefi’ens read the Queen’s message which was conveyed to the Dominion by the visiting Netherlanders, and he asked Mr. Jordan to convey a message of greetings to the Government from all assembled in the ] Forces Club to those attending the celebrations at Okarito. Maori songs were sung during tea by Princess Iwa and also Stella Murray. Among those accepting invitations were Lord Galway and the mayor and mayoress of Westminster.