THE BANQUET.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 273, 11 August 1908, Page 9

THE BANQUET.

AN ENTHUSIASTIC CATHERINC. • In the'evening Admiral Sperry and officers of tho American Fleet wcro entertained at a banquet in the Drill Hall by tho Government of New Zetland. Tho largo building was very prettily decorated, and about fifteen hundred guests sat down. _ Tho Prime Minister presided, having on his right His Excellency the Governor, and "on his left. Rear-Admiral Sperry. The proceedings generally wore of a most enthusiastic character. Sir Joseph Ward proposed the toast of the King and the' President. Ho said that two' great names King -Edward VII and President Theo'doro Roosovelt stirred the heart of overy man who loved honour, manliness, and untiring devotion to a great office. Each stood before tho world a born ruler, richly endowed with the saving grace of common sense. He hoped that the King arid tho President would long live to enjoy the lovo of theso notions and tho osteem of tho world. Tho next toast was that of tho Governor, proposed by the Prime Minister. Sir Joseph Ward said that Lord Plunkct had shown himself to bo a discreet and capablo representative of the King, and had deservedly oarned the esteem and confidence of ; all classes in the Dominion. Spoeoli by tho Covernor. The Governor replied in a particularly happy speech, which was received with warm appreciation. He referred to tho sincerity o£ New Zealand's welcome to .the American Fleet. "Wo welcome you," he said, "not only as representatives of a great nation of white people, sharing .with us a common origin and'common tongue; but we welcomo also this' visible evideiico of America's sea power with'genuine hearty and undisturbed satisfaction. The British Navy must always bo equal to any possible combination of two other great Towers, but America had not been reckoned in those possible combinations. Truo and lasting national wellbeing lay in heavy burdens and great' responsibilities honestly and courageously faced. That was tho doctrine of America's great President, and the Fleet was a national corollary of that doctrine, for which reason it deserved every honour, every respect, and every admiration at New Zealand's hands." (Prolonged applause.)

Toast of the United States Navy. The Prims Minister then proposed tho toast of the United Stntes Navy. Ho said th*t no fleet eiccpt tho British 'Fleet could, by its prcsonco in New Zealand waters, liavo provoked such a warm and universal wclcomo 4s had been accorded tho American Fleet. Within a short period of years America had hurried to a proud place, among3t tho navies of tho world, and the whole tone and temper of the American nation showed that it was determined to possess a navy greater and mightier still, worthy of a great people and its groat destiny. Public men in the United States declared that it was their intention to be second in naval strength to no nation in tha world, oxccpt England, whoso stipromncy on tho America did not find it iioonasarj

to rival. (Applause.) The naval and military, forces of enlightened nations did not exist for aggression or conquest, but for protection against oppression, and for safeguarding the- nation's greatest asset—its national honour. Tho navy of an enlightened people might bo used for even higher purposes—that of preparing the paths of peaco and progress, by repression of barbarous and lawless forces of benighted lands. That great mission was increasingly recognised as a duty by tho foremost nations of the world, and by no nation more sincerely than by tho American peoplo during the last fifty years. Sir Joseph Ward referred to tho nunierous occasions on which Britons and Americans had shown by deeds that blood was thicker than water, and lie mentioned tho courage, skill, and discipline of the officers and men of tho American Fleet. America might bo the friend of England, or friend of France, but sho would, 110 believed, bo their friend only becauso sho was a greater friend still to oternal principles of honour, faith, and justice. Those principles she would help to promote by all methods known to honourable peace; but if need bo, riiust and would spell her mission through tho lips of her guns, and tell the world that America stood, as England did, as champion of the oppressed, and tho defender of freedom and justice.

Tho Mission of tho Navy. Admiral Sperry responded to tho toast, and was received with enthusiastic applause and cheers. Ho said that the mission of' the American Navy was peaco with justice, and so long as it floated undefeated no enemy could cross the seas to American shores, or New Zealand shores. He and other officers had known dark days when they wero told that the interests of tho American peoplo wero limited by tho boundaries of thoir own country; but those days had passod; Ho was very hopeful for tho young officers who were going to follow him, xnd wore going to manage the great navy that was being evolved. Tho officers of tho Fleet appreciated the magnificent reception that had been given thorn in Now Zealand, a country whose chief -care seemed to bo how to distribute wealth amongst tho people without pauperising them. He called Now Zealand tho new America, with its splendid resources and its hospitable people. President Roosevelt would appreciate the generous, cordial, and tactful reception that had been given tho American Fleet. (Prolonged applause.) Admiral Sperry then proposed tho toast of the British Navy. Ho said 110 could not imagine a happier task than that of proposing tho health of the Navy from which American sailors had drawn their best traditions and brightest examples. .Vice-Admiral Sir Richard _ Pooro replied briefly oh behalf of the British Navy,, referring to' tho cordial friendship existing between the naval representatives of tho two gro*t nations. . The gathering then dispersed.