DAY OF REJOICING.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 173, 22 July 1918, Page 7

DAY OF REJOICING.

TIIE FRENCH ADVANCE. Professor Maxwell Walker, vice-presi- ■ dent, occupied the chair at the Auckland Orphans' Club on Saturday night, when there was a large attendance. In extending a hearty welcome to the visitors the chairman said it waa particularly appropriate on the present occasion, when France had just celebrated her National Day, and Belgium was about to celebrate her day, to have present olHcial representatives of these nations. To M. Hippeau he extended congratulations on the magnificent success achieved by his counItrynien during the past few days. (ApIplause.) Mr. A. M. Ferguson, Consul J for Belgium, represented that little land I which preferred to risk ite national existence rather than face dishonour. (Ap- . plause.) They had also with them Colonel I Purdy, iwho was a member of the Wellington Orphans' Club; while sitting alongside of each other were the Hon. J. A. Hanan (Minister of Education) and "the Rev. A. B. •Uhappell (registrar of tho j Auckland University College), co that j (added the chairman facetiously) it was jto be hoped they would have settled I over the festive board that night the long-disputed problem of the University site. (Laughter.) The National Anthems of France and Belgium were played by the orchestra, the audience standing meanwhile. M. Hippeau expressed his thanks for the sympathetic references to France, and to the heroism of ite people, and concluded 'by declaring his fervent wish that the close friendship now existing would bind together France and England for ever. (Applause.) Mr. A. M. Ferguson said he was proud to be the representative of that nation which lived so close to France, and little Belgium was prepared to die for the sake of her friend. (Applause.) The Hon. J. A. Hanan said it was truly I difficult to imagine or adequately underj stand the titanic struggle in which Britain and the Allies were engaged, in j ' which character had been tested as never ibefore. As one interested in education! :he was looking on to see what each | i country was doing in connection with' ! this war. The love we bore to France I was not only because of her heroism, but i because many of our loved ones lie there—sleeping their last long sleep. So I close did those ties bind us that we claim ' France to be part of New Zealand, because of the loved ones lying there. Many ; a father and mother, after the war, would visit Franco to see that little bit of the country where their loved one ; was sleeping. When France drew the i s>word ehc determined not to sheath it till victory was won—rather would she die. To-day they were in a position to i say that France waa driving the Germans back. (Applause.) There could ;be no peace xmtil complete victory. LAn excellent programme included I selections by the club's orchestra, under Lieut. G. F. Cater.