"SONS OF THE SEA."

Bush Advocate, Volume XXI, Issue 62, 11 September 1908, Page 7

" SONS OF THE SEA."

A remarkable scene occurred towards the close of the show banquet at Wagga, reports the Melbourne ; Age. Mr McGarry, M.L.A., in responding to the toast of "Our Guest," referred with enthusiasm to the visit of the American fleet. Ho said that the crowd seeing the entrance of the fleet into Sydney hai'bor was struck J dumb with its magnificence. America was a self-contained country, with 80,000,000 people, and was able to produce the greatest fleet in the world. (Uproarious cries of "No."). '. Their ships were the most up-to-date possible to have. (Continuous dis- \ sent and interruption.) Mr M'Garry- asked the audience to be patient. t They could differ, but the fleet was the most up-to-date it was possible to get. The crowd again interrupted and Mr M 'Garry pleaded for patience. "If yon don't want me to speak I will sit down," he said. "The progress of the American people is due to the productiveness of the country and the energy of its people." j When Mr M'Garry sat down, Mr j Gunn, M.L.C., rose, and said, "I am proud to see the American fleet here, and proud of our friendship with America, but I desire to enter the protest of- this meeting against anyone cracking up the American fleet ■

r ... • • f ■ against the British fleet. 51 The audience interrupted with loud applause. Mr Gunn "continued : • "The j British fleet rules the world, and could beat any three fleets in the world." (Cheers.) The crowd 1 rose as. one nian, and broke into "Rule Britannia," Mr M 'Garry stood with the crowd, and took part in the chorus. Mr C. A. M'Donald, subsequently speaking to the toast, said he did not think that anyone could seriously speak of any fleet being superior to the British fleet.

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