THE AMERICAN FLEET.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 202, 20 May 1908, Page 9

THE AMERICAN FLEET.

CAN IT VISIT WELLINGTON? DEPUTATION TO THE PREMIER. ' A deputation consisting of the Mayor (the Hon. T. W. Hislop) and loading mombers of tho Navy ieague waited on the Premier yesterday morning to ask him, if, he would use his best endeavours to secure that portion, iit least, of thei American'fleet /should visit Wellington during its stay in New Zealand waters. ' .

.Tho Mayor said that tho deputation wished to-present two petitions, which .' ho read. 1 The first/signed, by over'looo persons, was from the 'citizens of Wellington, alid asked the Premier to use his influence to divert the American "fleet, or portion of it, to Wellington, afttSr the visit to Auckland. Tho second, signed by juvenile adherents of the Navy',League belonging t.o various schools, expressed the desire that some of tho American battleships, should call at ■Wellington before leaving New Zealand waters. The Mayor stated that iri addition to the general wish to see the battleships of so great • a power, it was particularly desired that i the officers of those ships should see Wellington, - and 1 have tho opportunity iof. intermingling ' with its■ citizens. They understood that it would be possible' for part of the fleet • at. least to visit Wellington, without disturbing any arrangements, and, if so, they wished tho Premier to'use'his best influence to bring them here. There was no parochipl, feeling in the matter; or desire to set one city. agajnst another.' They simply wanted'as many of tho people of ! New Zealand, to. have, the opportunity of meeting our American visitors as possible. • .. . : Miv C; Palmer, ' secretary, of the Navy League, said that numerous letters, had been received'from r residents of Masterton, Palm'erston, and' other inland ..towiis, • asking that arrangements should be'made, for the fleet to visit,Wellington.'

THE PREMIER'S REPLY. The. Premier , said that he would be TCry glad ,to convey "tho request to the Commander -of - the.' American fleet , on iti. arrival in He thought that, it would; be scarcely right of him to. attempt •to force things through .the President of the 'United States, who finally., settled tho■;matter, because there, had been considerable difficulty in .'tho first, instance in getting tho, fleet .to New Zealand. He • had • made representations through the American' Consul,' and also to the.'Secretary of-State for the Colonies, who in his turn had represented matter- to tho' American Government. That Government stated,-in-reply,.-that- th 6 fleet-could come only to Auckland, which was- not a greait way-; distant, from,Pango \Pango, one of -its' points of -call.ln 'reply: to' -further inquiries: by.tho Premie^-.the',American. Government - stated : that the , fleet - could spend only a week' in New \ Zealand'water's. He would bo: misleading th'enij "therefore, if lie' said 1 that -it was an'' easy '• matter' Vfor him to': make representations to'" the ' American, Government' after those' already made, both .through the American Consulj; and the' Secretary of jStato' for'the' Colonies.;'■ He' tlibught,' however, ' that, it; was', very important that tlid; fleet, should' call 'at .; Wellington,'" and'lie would he" glad to do' all ..in- his power' after tho.-'fleet ; reached", Auckland to :induco themto callVhore on route : ,.to Australia, , and; lip V'ould make ' representations , to, tho American Consul 1 so that' he'might' forward 'them', to ' the Commander of •'.tho fleet' at Pango Pango.;' "If tho . fleet, could' conic .here "he thought; that it would be,-a good .thing, and he "was sure that, their.friends iii Auckland would bo glad to see the -fleet come here after visiting their own city.' . Ho. had made representations through the Governor to the admiral;: of, : . the Australasian squadron inviting tlio s wholV'squadron'to 'como hero and receive the fleet in'.,New Zealand waters, and a reply had been..- received that the matter iwa.s'jsubject to -tho . direction'-;of "'tho Homo 'authorities::' 'Representations had, accordingly, been ,made , to these. " Tho' programme which .tho Government ' it-self had arranged So far was not quite .definite, but apart' from,'the hospitality-which.'ho. was sure''the; citizens, of Auckland would extend, and which; tho; citizens of. Wellington would also like to extend, lie hoped 'that it would be possible' for tho officers of 'tho . fleet to visit' different parti -of ■ the country, ' and .if it should be possible' for. them io prolong their > visit, the' Government would make every; arrangement-'" :tb' gi'vo them special train facilities' for 1 ' reaching Wellington.; The Government were very anxious to induce 'tho fleet.; to come -here, '.and everything that could ,be done they would do. Ho - much appreciated 'the; fpelings,,of.,'tho citizens who, ljad- signed ,-tlip.-';p6titioh//,tad) 'also' /of;,' the' school children; who were, anxious to .see this powerful fleet. ' . , . . . V Tho, Premier alsoj stated that it 1 wa-s' pn* posed to. ask Parliament to adjourn, so that Parliamentarians might.' bo. enabled to. visit Auckland during the fleet's' .stay. . ■ ;

■ SUGGESTIONS IN; AUCKLAND. ; . (by TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL' COttRESrOKDENT.) -' ■ '"Auckland, '.jr.-xv'. 19. ■ Among, the' various suggestions that have Beon.put lorw.ird 111 connection with tho visit ofjthe fleet is- olio to tho effect that a-com-mittee, should ho set. up for the purpose of ascertaining ..'what accommodation is availabloc at' city,.hotels and , boardinghouses for visitors during-tho fleet's stay in Auckland. A vei-y, large .influx: of, visitors is 'expected for that period, and it is . desirable that the best arrangements possible'should be mads. In view of the very large number of men aboard 'the ships, .the question of' a division of ontortainmcnt-s is ' under consideration. Inquiries have- been instituted as. to tho various halls and theatres that will be available, ..so ; that when the fleet- is hero the sailors can be drafted to' the various places whoro , amusements will ;be provided for, them. Several suggestions have been putforward as possible extensions ■of tho programme ! originally down, such a3 more, comprehensive illuminations and fireworks display.- One suggestion was that a monster sports gathering should be held, including; if possible, competitors from the warships, ;and. that baseball matches 1 should be held. The Mayor has caused inquiries to be instituted amongst tho shopkeepers,, and Others having business'premises as to individual illuminations and; decorations;