CIVIC RECEPTION

Evening Post, Volume XCV, Issue 24, 28 January 1918, Page 8

CIVIC RECEPTION

A REPRESENTATIVE GATHERING.

Quite a. large number of representative citizens assembled in the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall this morning, the occasion' being a civic reception to the distinguished visitor. s The Ma.yor (Mr. J. P. Luke, C.M.G.) extended a hearty welcome to Dr. Morrison, Who, he said, is passing through j New Zealand on a recuperating trip after ! a strenuous time in China. Thus .it would not be right to ask him to stress, on the platform, the work he had been engaged in. Dr. Morrison was a native' of Geelong, and his father had been the founder of Geelong College, Australians could well be. proud of the distinction he had gained in his journalistic work and his political career. Mr. Luke, illustrating the determination of Dr. Morrison to "do things," said that at sixteen years of age, in the days when the' country was new to settlement, their visitor had walked from Geelong to Adelaide without a^gun and without a. compass. Then -at the age of eighteen the Melbourne Age had engaged him to go to New Guinea- and the adjacent parts of Australia to enquire into th© position concerning the Kanakas. At this time kidnapping was rife and the Queensland Government was not altogether blameless in the matter, but as the result of Dr. Morrison's investigation the people at Downing-street altered the system of Government altogether, and afterwards there was no exploitation of Kanakas.

Mr. Luke, in conclusion, referred to Dr. Morrison's long and honourable connection with" the London Times, as their correspondent in the Far East, and as Political Adviser to the Chinese Government. He expressed the belief that the bringing to bear of the doctor's British instincts—a splendid asset —must have resulted in mutual benefit so far as China and Great Britain were concerned. (Applause.) Dr. Morrison had a very cordial reception on rising to reply. Since coming to Australia and New Zealand on this his first holiday for many years, he had been hearing words of praise of himself quite unexpected, and he thought there would be a danger of his getting swelled: head. (Laughter.) It was indeed a pleasure for him to visit New Zealand. Once before he had been- in Wellington for a brief period. Stranded in Calcutta in 1904, he wae fortunate in securing a position on the e.s. Port Melbourne as ship's surgeon for the run,to Auckland. Coming down the Hoogli an ash-bucket descending struck a Lascar on the head, breaking his skull, and he (the doctor) was able to patch the man up sufficiently to enable him to be landed at Singapore. In recognition of this effort the master of the vessel franked him a passage from Wellington to Australia, andl back home he arrived with half a crown in his pocket. (Laughter.) Now he wae in New Zealand again, seeking change and health. ;, .

A TRIBUTE TO NEW ZEALAND. He had been for many years in the Far East, Dr. Morrison added, 17 years as correspondent for The Times, and later in the service of the Chinese Government. Now, at the conclusion of five years' service in the latter capacity, he was on six months' leave, after which he would have to go back for another five years. He hoped to be able to see I some of the glorious beauties of New Zealand, which had played such a grand part in the great world war. Never before had the name "New Zealand" stood so high, and he was proud to say that his wife was a native of this country. (Applause.) ■; CHINA'S ENTRY INTO THE WAR. The Chinese nation had come into the war. in full sympathy with the Allied' cause. They had been prepared to come into the war in 1914, but circumetances prevented them, and they had 'been prepared to come in in November of 1915, but again circumstances arose which prevented them. Now they were in the war, and he felt sure they would renden direct and material help in the winning of the war. (Applause.) Their sympathy from the first had been with, the Allies. The Chinese were a reasonable, humane, people with great possibilities, and were slire to hold a great position in the world. With their immense area of country and their 325 millions of people they must take a,n important positionl m the world so soon .as they are well educated and awakened to the consciousness of nationality.. (Loud applause.) Sir. Joseph Ward apologised for the absence of the Prime Minister, who had been compelled to attend an important meeting of Cabinet. On behalf of the Government and the people of New Zealand, he extended a hearty welcome to Dr. Morrison. Knowing of him as they did, there could not be the least fear in the mind of anyone that Dr. Morrison would ever be troubled with "swelled head." It had been a. pleasure to hear a man who had been in the inner circle and who pccnpied an important position in China, speaking as had Dr. Morison, who did not conic as a stranger, but as one in full touch with the feeling in all parts of the world. It was of the greatest importance to hear From Dr. Morrison of the possibility, nay, the certainty, of the Chinese Empire doing- great things with the Allies to put down an unscrupulous and barbarous foe. Tim coming, into the war of China luul brought Germany and her allies info conflict with practically the whole world; she was continuing with the others to crush the evil spirit of Prussian militarism. There had been a feeling of some uncertainty in some parts of the world in regard to the development of the great, Chinese Empire, with its 325 millions of people, but this feeling must be al tered when we found the Chinese engaged in th» way thstf ar« to^ay, it jvas a feeling of immense satisfaction,

to find that great country helping us to win out in the .cause of justice, freedom, and'civilisation. (Applause.) The Hon. T. W. Hislop also spoke a few words of welcome, after which •which morning tea, provided by the Mayoress, was handed round.