AUSTRALIAN VISITORS' THANKS

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 71, 24 March 1926, Page 8

AUSTRALIAN VISITORS' THANKS

HOSPITALITY APPRECIATED.

(By Teleirtpfc.) (Spseial to "The Evenlnf Part.") AUCKLAND, Thu Day. The thanks of the companies of the Australian warships for the hospitality and friendship extended to then by the people of New Zealand wai expressed yesterday by Commodore Wardle, who said that the effieere and men moit heartily appreciated wtat had been done for them at every port of the,Dominion at whieh they had touched. He made it clear thai the reason for the visit to New Zealand waters was solely the desire to eo-eper- ' ate with the ships of the New Zealand squadron in training manoeuvres, and that the visits to the ports were more in the nature of recreation periods. He was sure that the meeting of the squadrons in work and play had gone a long way toward strengthening the feeling of goodwill between the peoples of the two countries. He also Mentioned that the visit to Rotoroa, made possible for the officers and men by the generosity of the New Zealand Government, was very highly appreciated, not only for the unique sights that they had been able to see, bat for the opportunity it gave all ranks te get into tonch with and lean to like the people of the Maori,raee, wfe« oad given thea ** warmest pueaible welcome. The commanded *} the, squadron also expressed the hop* that these visits between th« two sections of the Navy would become a natter of routine, and gave an assurance that the New Zealand squadron would be as warmly welcomed in Australian {Waters as the Australians had been here. "fhere has been such a sense of fries-tship between us," added Commodore Wardle, "and pablie . and private hospitality has been so geeerous that we ■ are , Jeligbied to be a further connecting link between New Zealand and Australia. I feel sure we are taking a thousand ambassadors for New Zealand back to Australia with us." Commodore Wardle also had a word of praise for the part played by Mr. J. Hislop, Undersecretary of Internal Affairs, who acted as Government representative in the entertainment of the visitors. The arrangements made by the Government through Mr. Hislop, he said, had worked without a hitch. Owing to the short stay of the squadron in port, it wai not possible for all the men of the ships to make a trip to Botorua, and many wete consequently disappointed* However, those who were aboard the Sydney on Sunday afternoon were treated to a graceful Maori tribute to the ship's record in the war. Six Maori maidens of the Arawa tribe visited the veaael, etating that they had come specially to sing to the Sydney because it had vanquished the Emden in fair nght. Soags suitable to such a tribnto, drawn from the traditional lore of the Maoris, were sung, and made a great impression on all present.