DOMINION POST

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 39, 16 February 1939, Page 9

DOMINION POST

HIGH COMMISSIONER SIR H. BATTERBEE FAREWELL IN LONDON LONDON, Dec. 15. The new High Commissioner for Britain in New Zealand, Sir Harry Batterbee, who expects to arrive in the Dominion with Lady Batterbee on March 9 by the Rangitata, was entertained by the Royal Empire Society and the Victoria League this week. He was referred to by Mr. W. J. Jordan, New Zealand’s High Commissioner, as a friend of the Dominion, and by Mr. Malcolm MacDonald, Dominions Secretary, as "an indefatigable worker.” with dogged perseverance and possessing very rare tact. Sir Harry, Mr. Jordan recalled, had already visited New Zealand twice, so that it was not a name to him, but a place and a people. He felt sure that Sir Harry would receive kindness equal to that which he (Mr. Jordan) and received and appreciated in Bri-

“On behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand, I congratulate Sir Harry, and Lady Batterbee, on the appointment, and I express the satisfaction and the pleasure of our people that he has been chosen as the first High Commissioner to represent Britain in New Zealand,” Mr. Jordan said. Dominion Secretary’s Tribute. Mr. MacDonald said that, although Sir Harry might play an outrageously bad game of tennis, that would not mar his success as High Commissioner, because he possessed great personal charm, great tact, and complete understanding of his job. In New Zealand he would be undertaking very important work, but he was a “carefully selected bottle of champagne of excellent vintage,” and he would launch the new office on a long and happy voyage. "I have not the slightest doubt about his being a success,” Mr. MacDonald added. Above all, he had great knowledge and understanding, knowledge of

what the Empire was to-day, and Understanding of the point of view of the Dominions. Of course, he had his faults. He was very rash in the way he spent his money. If he saw a really fine mezzotint he made no effort whatever to resist it. Perhaps in New Zealand he would collect tikis or Maori war canoes, or swordfish or giant tunny. It was certain, however, that both he and Lady Batterbee would collect new friends. "I confess that I, for one, feel a true affection for both sides of that extraordinarily devoted partnership of theirs," said Mr. MacDonald. Charm of Nciv Zealand. Sir Harry said that he rejoiced that he and Lady Batterbee were going to a country which would remind them constantly ot home. The char mot New Zealand lay in its similarity to many parts of England and its unique and marvellous variety of scenery. Pie had read recently that in New Zealand the forget-me-not grew a much larger Hower than was known in any other country. He could quite understand that, for no one could ever forget New Zealand once they had seen it, and everyone who had seen it wanted to return to see it again.