KITCHENER'S TOUR.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 48, 25 February 1910, Page 5

KITCHENER'S TOUR.

WELLINGTON'S RECEPTION. NEW ZEALAND'S PATRIOTISM. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Thursday. The civic reception to Lord Kitchener, which was held this afternoon, was a ibrief, enthusiastic tribute, which lasted only half an hour; but the citizens started to assemble three hours beforehand, and nearly 4000 found places in the big Town Hall building. Thus, by three o'clock the late-comers, numbering many hundreds, had to be content with a street view of the Field-Marshal. More than

half the audience consisted of ladies, and the arrangements were so well planned that no unseemly rushes occurred at the doors or in the building. Perhaps the arrangements for admission were too vigorously controlled, for many official visitors and some of the Press representatives, who arrived nearly an hour before the time of welcome, found unyielding guardians on the door. The veterans made a brave show on the platform, and were an appropriate and splendid background for the ceremony. There were 200 of them, and they had all seen active service. A lady in the scarlet uniform of a Queen Alexandra nurse, who was brought out of the audience by Mr Thomas Irwin, K.A. (president of the Veterans' Association), was given a prominent seat on the platform, to the immense satisfaction of the audience. Some of the old soldiers had come <iisUnc«s of 200 miles to see the great military chief. Punctually to the minute of half-past, the guest of honour appeared on the platform, accompanied by the Governor, the Prime Minister, Lady Ward, Miss Eileen Ward and the Mayor (Dr. Newman) and the Mayoress. Tlie Mayor expressed his pleasure at seeing Lord Kitchener present as the guest of the City of Wellington. "May 1 have the honour of introducing to you some of the , citizens," continued his Worship. "Ladies and gentlemen—Lord Kitchener. (Laughter.) Now you are properly and formally introduced." (Laughter.) This little pleasantry provoked hearty laughter, and the audience caught a passing glimpse of that reputedly rare quality—"the Kitchener smile." Dr. Newman said the introduction, no doubt, was unnecessary, because the whole of New Zealand had known Lord Kitchener for years and years, and there was not, he thought, anyone who was more welcome. (Applause.) He only regretted that the hall held only 3500 people of the 80,000 of Wellington's citizens, who would like to be there to welcome him as one of their own friends. (Applause.) They were present not out of curiosity, but to welcome a groat man, of whose deeds in Egypt and South Africa they had read. New Zealand desired Lord Kitchener to give of his best in regard to advice on organisation, so that the Dominion would be in a position to help herself. New Zealand ■•fas prepared to adopt a self-reliant policy, and we were prepared to d-efend our own territory. (Applause.)

LORD PLUXKETS SPEECH. The Governor, who was cordially received, said: "It has often been my good fortune, from Auckland to tbe Bluff, to join with the people of Now Zen>and in mutual congratulation upon our proud position as fellow-subjects of an honoured and wise Kin;;, and as fellow -members of the greatest Empire the world lias ever known. (Applauso.) But I doubt, ladies and gentlemen, that if any occasion has ever arisen during my term of office when the direct, concrete evidence of the value of that Empire to this remote portion lias been so definitely presented. For to-day this young country is entering upon a serious step in the direction of making itself strong in our main defence, and making the Empire strong by being able to help other portions of it if menaced. Just at this moment, when the intricacies, the difficulties, and the pitfalls of a more rigid military system fall upon you, the Empire to you Lord Kitchener. (Loud applause.) So, Lord Kitchener, this country nnd this vast audience arc not only endeavouring to pay you due honour as the hero of Omdurman, not only due honour as the man who saved such pain, suffering and misery by so rapidly terminating the South African war, not only as the man who has mrulo the gTCit Indian army greater than it ever was before, but also as one of the greatest military organisers of the whole world, who has so kindly and promptly answered the call of New Zealand, and eomo here to giv>e us your invaluable help and advice." (Loud cheers.)

A HISTORIC OCCASION. Sir Joseph Ward said:. "To-day will ibe lemenubcrcd ad a. history-making day, not only in the city of Wellington but throughout the Dominion of New Zealand, lor the reason that we h-ave in our midst a distinguished soldier, who lias no one to thank but himself for the preeminent position 'he occupies not only in the British army but in the eyes of the world." (Loud applause.) The Prime .Minister then made some very interesting remark on the chief points of Lord Kitchener's career. He was recognised now as the first in his profession in the -world. Had it not been for Lord Kitchener's great virtues, for his courage and patience, some of the victories accomplished under his direction would probably never have been achieved. History showed that no man had taken fewer chances. Lord Kitchener liad a mind naturally gifted in the art of war, and New Zealand welcomed him as the greatest scientific soldier of the age. (Applause.) To him war was not a ga-rae, but a science. He had crowned his victories as a great soldier by showing that he was a man who could admire a worthy and a beaten foe. "This is evidenced," lie concluded, "by the fact that he sought to obtain for the Boers on their submission the 'best terms England could honourably grant. No doubt he will add fresh laurels to his crerwn and rival that great general whose countrymen proudly declare iiim to be first in war, first in peaoe, and first in the hearts of his fellow countrymen." (Loud applause.) ENTHUSIASM IN DEFENCE. The Mayor then called upon Lord Kitchener to reply, whereupon the distinguished soldier rose amidst deafening applause and made a characteristically brief speech. "It is a very great satisfaction to mc," he eaid, '"to .be able to visit this beautifully situated capital of New Zealand, and I a.m very grateful to you, Mr. Mayor, for the cordial welcome you have given mc on behalf of the citizens, as 'well as to His Excellency the Governor and the Prime Minister for the vfcry kind and too flattering terms erf the speeches they have just made. Wherever I have 'been in the Dominion I have 'been impressed 'by the enthusiasm displayed on the question of maintaining an efficient defence force, and it seems to mc only appropriate that a city named alter the most illustrious field-

marshal our country has ever produced —(applause)—should take the lead in all that pertains to military proficiency. I sincerely trust that the measures about to ibe undertaken <by the Government ■with this object in view ■will fulfil the national requirements, and enable New ; Zealanders to feel not only secure at home, but also prepared to take a share in the responsibilities of our great Empire. (Applause.) No one who has visited this country can doubt the deepseated and warm-hearted loyalty of its inhabitants, which has been so practically demonstrated by the excellent contingents sent to South Africa, and fey the recent gift of a Dreadnought to tlie navy. (Renewed applause.) These are substantial proofs of the readiness of New Zealanders to do all in their power to support Imperial interests and the Motherland. I sincerely thank you, Mr. Mayor, as well as this .great assembly, for the kind reception you ha.ye given ra-e on this occasion." (Applause.) At the invitation of the Mayor, the vast audience rose as one body, and gave three ringing cheers for Lord Kitchener. The proceedings concluded with the of the National Anthem by Mr. E. J. "Hill, the audience joining in the last verse in a very hearty manneT. Just as Lord Kitchener was leaving the platform, Dr. Newman introduced ■htm to the veterans, wiho occupied a position at the back of the stage. Hi exchanged a few words with Colonel Newall, glanced at the men, and then left the 'hall, while once again the a-udience ciheered. THE SEVENTH CONTINGENT. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Thursday. A meeting of the men who served in the Seventh Contingent in South Africa, under Colonel Porter, to-night decided to form an association on the lines of that of the First Contingent. Colonel Porter was elected president. A letter was received from Lord Kitchener expressing appreciation of the work of the Seventh Contingent at the battle of Bothasburg. KEEN CADETS. (By Telegraph.-—Own Correspondent.) THAMES, this day. In connection with Lord Kitchener's visit, the Thames volunteers and cadets will be present in goodly numbers. The cadets could not obtain the necessary leave from their employment to journey by Saturday's train, as originally ii> tended, but obtained consent to journey by Monday's steamer. As the Department will not defray the cost they will pay their own fares. It is hoped that this keenness and patriotic feeling, will receive its due reward. Volunteers will leave by the train on Tuesday morning, j and Mill make the return journey by I steamer on Wednesday night. A goodly I number of Thames residents will make j the trip.