Imperial Valley press., 1943-09-10
NV uDau
BY
ROOSEVELT
(TR. NIX. REG. u. s. PAT.
OFF.-ReproductiOn in whole or


(TR. NIX. REG. U. S. PAT.
OFF.-Reproduction in whole or
part fOrbidden.)
CANBERRA, Australia, Delayed
Saturday morning we left Gov
ernment House at GAS a. m. and L
had the pleasure of driving first
with our Minister, Mr.. Nelson
Johnson, to see the new legation
which we are building here. 1t is
made of the same kind of brick
used in Williamsburg, Va, in
duplicating the old buildings which
were restored there.
I like the plan of the house and
have only one criticism, namely,
, that the fireplace in the room
which is to be the library may be
architecturally perfect, but it looks
too small ever to give one the
sense of space and hospitality that
an open fire should convey. The
house stands on a hall and has a
lovely view. I planted little oak,
which starts the landscaping.
On leaving here, Mrs. Evatt, wife
of the Attorney General and
Minister for External Affairs, and
drove together for the rest of
! the morning, which was a pleasant
arrangement as it gave us a chance
for little conversation between
stops Our first visit was to the
radio school for United States
Naval personnel Some 80 sailors
are being trained for work at sea
or at shore stations.
SERVICE GIRL HUT
At the YMCA we saw a hut
operated for service girls They
can get a bed and bath for two
shillings. Meals are very mex
pensive and they may have their
friends visit them there. I found
that some of our men were enjoy
ing their hospitality.
Next. we visited the war memo
rial built after the last war. This
is a dignified and beautiful build
! ing and one could spend several
days looking at the paintings,
sculpture and exhibits. I had so
little time that I could only see
how much there was of interest
and hope for an opportunity at
some future date to see it more
satisfact A short stop was
then made at a service club where
here were Australians and Ameri-
cans and where I signed many
autographs, and could have signed
many more if I had not had an
appointment with the Prime Minis
| ter at his home. I had an op-
portunity to talk to Mrs. Curtin.
and then Mr.. Curtin and I had a
quiet talk. 1t was both interesting
and restful after a rather active
morning
| At loo o'clock we arrived at
Parliament House, where the Prime
Minister had arranged luncheon
at which he welcomed me very
cordially to Australia. His remarks
were seconded by Mr.. William
Hughes of the opposition party
and then I was given precious
gift to bring back to my country.
1t is a Photographic copy-the only
one ever made-of Captain Cooks
own diary, kept in his own hand
of his first voyage when he dis
covered Australia. For fifty years
after his death it remained in his
wife's possession and now 1t is a
most treasured possession of the
public library here. It is a gift
from the people of Australia to the
people of America and is SO in
scribed.
VISITS WITH STAFF
During the afternoon I spent a
American Legation and was glad to
see my cousin, Mrs Kidder, and
her husband.
Cur Minister and his wife gave
a reception in the afternoon, and
after dinner at Government House
another reception was held there in
the evening. I had an opportunity
to talk with the heads of the vari-
Gus women's services. Heads of the
Army and Navy nursing services
are called "Matron," but they are
given military rank just as ours
are.
The Australian nurses served in
Greece and Crete, so these women
know at first hand all the dangers
of war.
I was given some very good
photographs of American boys
taken here and I am taking them
home and will send them to the
hometowns of the boys. have also
been promised some movies OF
women's war activities, which have
been made.
ELEANOR ROOSEVELT
Copyright, 1943, by United Fea-
ture Syndicate, Inc.D