THE AMERICAN FLEET.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 170, 17 July 1908, Page 3

THE AMERICAN FLEET.

RECEPTION ARRANGEMENTS. At the meeting of the Executive- Committee yesterday afternoon, the V.M.C.A. Hall Entertainment Sub-committee submitted a report of the programme to be carried out in the V.M.C.A. buildings during fleet week. There will be a large variety of entertainments and pastimes for the men on the Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. The programme includes a performance by the Maori troupe at present touring New Zealand, and a gymnastic display. The Railway Department is preparing a special time-tabJe for fleet week, both for country and suburban requirements. A number of American ladies at present residing in Auckland have clubbed together to present to the Admiral, officers, and men of the fleet a large floral device in the form of the Union Jack and Stars and Stripes in red, white, and blue flowers, crossed on a flagstaff, which, with poles and pedestal, will be picked out in green. From the top will be flown streamers of ribbon. This presentation will be made to Admiral Sperry when the fleet anchors. THE WAR CANOE. As the result of correspondence between the Hon. Mr. Ma-huta, M.L.C., and the Mayor of Auckland (says our Huntly correspondent), a large muster of oiatives, estimated at from 200 to 300, will accompany the crew chosen to man the war canoe on their visit to Auckland, and take part in the welcome to the American fleet. The natives appear to take a lively interest in the matter, and listen to and read the various accounts with considerable eagerness. STORMY PARLIAMENTARY DEBATE. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Friday. Speaking in the House of Representatives on the visit of the American Fleet, Mr. J. C. Thomson (W.illace) said he approved of the proposal from a purely commercial point of view, but he also approved of entertaining the fleet on higher grounds. There was no grander augury for the future of the world than the uprising and extending strength of the desire of the two great peoples of Britain and America for more cordial and hearty co-operation in the service of mankind l . The mere existence of such a desire was of itself good news for the woild. The people were of the same stock, they ivcre of the one race, both had the same glorious traditions, and both had descended fiom a great and illustrious parentage. They spoke the one tongue, the tongue of Milton and Longfellow, of Shakespeare and Lovell, and Britain and America were, growing one, because a nation was made one by the character of its common achievements. Those who refused to entertain their cousins he could only describe as Little New Zealanders, lacking in vision, in enthusiasm and in that broad outlook which saw beyond parochial limits. With the movement among 700,000,000 of brown and yellow men, they had to look to the future and understand that only by the union of the Eng-lish-speaking race could they hope to hold their own. Mr. Wilford said he wanted to draw a line between actual hospitality and people making fools of themselves. lie considered they - were inclined to treat the matter of the American Fleet's visit hysterically. The Fleet was only bowing to New Zealand' as it passed. When it came to the Government going to the expenditure of thousands of pounds and wasting the time of the country by adjourning Parliament, they were going too far. It was enough for the Premier to go and represent the Dominion and welcome the Americans in his official capacity. They could also afford the officers the usual courtesy of extending them free railway passes, but he wanted to see this matter regarded and treated in the calm light of reason, ajid not in a spirit of hysteria. Auckland was a port with all the natural advantages and the natural beauty of surroundings, which would tend to make the visit of the Americans enjoyable; but. while we should be hospitable, we should not make fools of ourselves. Mr. Laurenson said that Mr. Wilford stood alone in his remark, and he had shown sadly parochial spirit. There were times when they should make demonstrations, and this was such an occasion. People were going to Auckland from every part of the Dominion to take part in welcoming their American cousins, who the greatest branch of the Eng-lish-speaking familyMr. Hanan, the member for Invercargill, said the naval supremacy of the Pacific was in the hands of Japan, and he was of opinion that the American invasion of the Pacific was good ground for general satisfaction.