KING'S MESSAGE

Waikato Times, Volume 129, Issue 21582, 19 November 1941, Page 5

KING'S MESSAGE

NEW ZEALAND TROOPS MR JORDAN’S BUSY DAY PARADE AT BASE CAMP (N.Z.E.F. Official News Service) (Received Nov. 19, 12.15 p.m.) CAIRO, Nov. 18 The New Zealand High Commissioner, Mr W. Jordan, bears a message to New Zealand soldiers in the Aiiddle East from King George. “When I told him that 1 would be seeing our soldiers soon,” said Mr Jordan. “His Majesty said: T hope [hat they are all well,’ and he asked me to pass this message on to them.” Today Mr Jordan took the salute at an impressive parade of New Zealand soldiers at the base camp. Addressing the men he said: “I am impressed by your soldierly bearing, and the look in your faces shows that you mean business. I’ve been out in the back country—l can hardly call it bush—and here also I was inspired by the quiet deterjnination of the men.” As he inspected the ranks he saw many familiar faces. He said that it time had permitted he would have liked to have stopped and talked to them. On behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand he wished them well and said that they could lest assured that their welfare was being well catered for by the National Patriotic Fund, which was distributing moneys subscribed by the people of New Zealand through the Y.M.C.A., the Y.W.C.A. and other welfare organisations. Visit to Royal Palace Yesterday Mr Jordan called at Abdin Palace and spent some time with Prince Mohamed Ali. He also saw Sir Hassanein Pasha, chief of the Royal Cabinet, and Sami Pasha, Foreign Minister, who showed great interest in Mr Jordan’s work at the League of Nations. Mr Jordan later visited the Houses of Parliament and talked with members In the afternoon he visited the Y.W.C.A. and the Y.W.C.A. Houseboat. During his visit he complimented Miss Jean Begg on the fine work she is doing for the welfare of nurses in the Middle East. He concluded a busy day with a visit to the Pyramids, whence he watched the sunset.

BRITISH BLOCKADE APPLICATION TO FRANCE NO RELAXATION INTENDED (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Nov. 19, 11.20 a.m.) LONDON, Nov. 18 It is authoritatively stated that Britain has decided that it is impossible for blockade purposes to distinguish between occupied and unoccupied France, therefore metropolitan France, in addition to Tunisia, Algeria and French Morocco, will be treated as enemy-occupied territory for the purposes of the contraband control. There will be no relaxation of Britain’s policy in relation to intercepted Vichy ships and their cargoes. The position is that any ships with enemy cargoes proceeding to France or coming from France can be seized.

IRAK’S DRASTIC MOVE RELATIONS BROKEN OFF (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Nov. 19, 11 a.m.) LONDON, Nov. 18 The report that Irak has broken off diplomatic relations with Vichy and Japan is confirmed in London, where it is stated that the action was taken quite independently by Irak as a result of the questionable behaviour of French and Japanese during the Raschid Ali regime. MINISTER OF LABOUR TAKEN ILL ON TOUR (Official Wireless) (Received Nov. 19, 11 a.m.) RUGBY, Nov. 18 Mr E. Bevin, Minister of Labour, was taken ill during a visit to a factory in north-east Britain yesterday and is in a nursing home, suffering from a chill. ARK ROYAL CASUALTY OLDEST MAN ON BOARD (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Nov. 18 Edward Mitchell, aged 50, the oldest man in the Ark Royal, was the sole victim when the vessel was sunk, says the Daily Express. He was sleeping deep down in the ship when he was killed by the explosion of the torpedo.