AMERICA AND NEW ZEALAND

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 199, 23 May 1925, Page 24

AMERICA AND NEW ZEALAND

“UNDERSTANDS OUR HOPES” Lecturing undir (ihe auspices of the English-speaking Union at Hie Concert Chamber on Wednesday Mr. 11. N. Holmes, 0.8. E., F.H.G.S., a former resident of Wellington, noir well-known in the States, assured his. audience that there was one great nation that understood tho hopes, the attitudes, even tho prejudices of New Zealand, aud that was tho American nation. Mr. Holmes declared that, there was no more worthy object to which thoughtful men, speaking the English tongue, could devoto themselves than that of fostering, by all means in their power, the growing friendship between the peoples of the great Empire and of the great Republic. The English-speaking ‘Union had only one purpose und one objective: it was not to formulate al. liancos and to establish treaties, but to help the people of one great country to understand the people of the other. And a big step in this direction, no doubt, was the fact that the union now honoured the great days of American history in the old city of London. Similar tribute was paid in New York.

"One of the most thrilling functions of the last few months,” observed the speaker, “was undoubtedly the 1 gathering at the Hotel Astor, when Lord Rob. ert Cecil was entertained bv 1500 Americans, who stood as he walked on to the platform. Then all the lights went out, a spot-light was focussed on the Union Jack, and the orchestra played 'God Save the King.’ Immediately that was finished another spotlight was focussed on the Stars and Stripes, and the orchestra played 'The Star Spangled Banner? And tliero was not a heart or mind in that audicnee of lending people in New York City that was not thrilled by the possibilities for human good that stood’ in the continued friendship of these two great counties.” Mr. Holmes wont on to point out as “a great symbol for the perpetuation of this friendship” the fact that along the vast border-line between Canada and America there was not a single, gun. fort, or soldier. For one hundred years there had been no disturbance—nothing but uninterrupted peace —between the Empire and the Republic. But it was wise, he maintained, that organisations should exist to perpetuate and further promote this friend, ship, and Australia and New Zealand, he thought, liad a special interest in this direction—an interest, moreover, that would be felt increasingly in the years to come.

“For there is one great nation,” declared Mr. Holmes, “that understands instantly, without debate or controversy, the hopes, the attitudes, even the pro judices of this country, and those are the people of the United States.” Generally speaking, tlio hopes and aspirations of the British, and American peoples were Hie same. Occasional friction, misunderstanding and unkindliness there might be, but he was firmly of the opinion that the peace and well-be ing of the world in tho next generation largely depended on the deepening of the boixls that bound the two peoples together. He thought it was Bismarck who once remarked, when asked what he thought was the most significant thing in tlio political outlook of his time: “The most significant thing is the fact that the American people speak the English tongue." Even in his day, they said, the great German statesman saw the possibilities that might arise. Mr. Holmes then proceeded to deliver his lecture on “The Grand Canyon of Arizona."

Tho gathering was presided over by Mr. H. F. Johnston, who made a special appeal for the support of the local branch of the union in the entertainment of the United Fleet.