Admiral Byrd Says "Au Revoir"

Radio Record, Volume III, Issue 42, 2 May 1930, Page 3

Admiral Byrd Says "Au Revoir"

, nana . ‘Farewell Address from: 2YA "T WOULD rather say au ‘revoir to New Zealand than good-bye, for I am looking forward to coming back again," said Rear-Admiral R. BH. Byrd in a farewell address broadcast from station 2YA last Friday evening. He sailed for Panama on the Rangitiki the following morning. "There is one thing I have never sufficiently emphasised, and that is the great debt our expedition owes to the New Zealand contingent who volunte@red to get our ships south to us. ere was not one of them-who did net show himself to be a gentleman. They played the game, and worked as one of us. They were courageous and worked very hard, and contributed greatly to our success, so that both on the high seas and on land New Zealand played a big part in the outcome of our’ expedition. * "On all sides the hospitality has been of an extraordinary nature, so that our stay here will always be one of the bright spots in our lives. I am making no real statement at this time, only saying that I.am sorry indeed to go, and I cannot reiterate too often the everlasting gratitude that we feel towards New Zealand. Whenever in the years to come we have the good fortune to meet up with anyone from New Zealand it will be a red-letter day for us. \ "T have accepted these gestures of riendship as signals of goodwill toward the nation under whose -flag I have been proud to sail, and I can assure the people of New Zealand that that goodwill is most heartily reciprocated by the people of my country. And I know that my countrymen are most grateful for the wonderful way you have received the members of the expedition. I wish specially to-night to greet the boys and girls, and to give them my best wishes. "J hope and I feel that New Zealand and the United States will always stand shoulder to shoulder as cousins and friends no matter what crisis may strike the world." . At the conclusion of the Admiral’s address, Mr. John Ball, editor-announ-cer of the Radio Broadcasting Company, called on those assembled in the studio and on all listeners to give three hearty cheers for the gallant explorer. "Icloo," the dog which has shared both henour and adventure with Admiral Byrd at the Poles, barked in joyful concert-we imagine to the chagrin of "Snot," the fox terrier at 2YA, which enjoys such popularity with the children of Radioland.