NEW ERA AHEAD.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 21, 25 January 1930, Page 9

NEW ERA AHEAD.

M. TARDIEU'S HOPE. Rivalries of Past Must Give Waj to Fresh Ideas. LORD MAYOR'S BANQUET. (British Official Wireless.) (Received 12 noon.)' RUGBY, January .24., The Lord Mayor of London, Sii William .Waterlow, welcomed: the delegations to the Naval Conference ai: a. reception and banquet at the Guildhall last nighty. In proposing the toast of success tc the conference the'.'Lord Mayor referred to the great task before the delegates "There are, of course, numerous difficulties, some obvious and some obscure,' he said, "but none of them ought to be insuperable if approached in the spirit of commonsense, goodwill and co-opera-tion." The "French, Prime Minister, M Tardieu, responding on behalf of the foreign delegations, said: "We are servants of,peace, .and;it is our hope or the one.' hand to diminish by suitable agreements the danger of conflict, and on the other to make peace less onerous and'more fecund by reducing the burder which unlimited competition in nava] expenditure has imposed on the world If we are all striving for the same goal how shall we fail to reach an agreement in regard to the means?" .-.; He declared, in the name of all Americans, French, British, Italians and Japanese that they counted upon success The. rivalries of the past, sustained, as they were with credit by all, would give way to hew ideas in the future. They must have a long vision. Their difficulties were rather in their habits of thought than in the questions themselves. - , : Brilliant Scenes. The scenes at Guildhall were worthy of the traditions of the City of London as the:host.of the world. The statesmen all wore plain evening dress, except Sir William Waterlow- and the sheriffs,- who received the delegates in the Guildhall . • .-- I '< The arrival of each principal guest was signalised by a fanfare of trumpets, Mr. Mac Donald' being the recipient of a particularly warm welcome', all the guests rising to applaud. But the most Surprising ovation was given' to M. Briand (France). It ; eclipsed all others, Mr. T. Mi Wilf ord, High .Commissioner, represented New Zealand; ;' The scene in the banquet hall,/was brilliant. it is a matter of comment xmong the "delegates that ho city in, the world could "stage a pageant comparable with that at; Guildhall that.night.' In responding to the toast 'of -the STaval Conference M. Tardieu '.;.. (France) said the presence of the Dominion,.delegates emphasised the unity; of the British Empire and- its civilisation.. The Dity of London received the.great navail Powers in the knowledge' thatiwhen;'the piestion"arose of organisingipeace.;:between different countries, Britain .could jlaim a leading part, the most inspiring hdeed.ever conceived by political gehiusi "We shall know how to conquer bur lifficulties,'' said M. Tardieu. "We ask you. to trust us. We are sent by nations whose records do credit to the history pf the world. We are resolved to achieve st.itask worthy of their fame." : v';>..v.fc.