NEW ZEALAND DAY

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 64, 17 March 1933, Page 14

NEW ZEALAND DAY

PRINCE AT DINNER

TREATY OF WAITANGI

JEWEL OF EMPIEE

(From "The Post's" Representative.) LONDON, February 9.

Several times it was asked at the New Zealand dinner last night: "Whyhad it taken ninety-three years to inaugurato a New Zealand Day? The Prince of Wales himself asked tho question. No one answered it. Perhaps the answer lies in tho fact that Provincial Governments existed in the early days and the provincial spirit has persisted, each province having its anniversary day. New Zealandcrs in London_ lose their provincial identity, and it is perhaps natural that the, idea should have originated here. In future the day will be observed on February 6, the actual anniversary of the first signatures being placed' on the Treaty of Waitangi. At the time of writing tho Prince of "Wales is repeating his speech over half the cirelo of the world direct to New Zealanders. T?he situation is a new one for a London correspondent, and removes the piece de resistance from his account of the proceedings. Still, there were other very happy speeches, and it was nearly midnight before the flow of eloquence came to an end. New Zealanders today are voting the dinner as the best that has yet been arranged by the New Zealand Society. Naturally, the Treaty of Waitangi was often mentioned in tho speeches, but an interesting note appeared on the menu leaflet. The text of the treaty in English was reprinted, and along with this a literal translation of the treaty in Maori, with the native idiom preserved. Another unusual note on the menu read: — "Besides 'commemorating the addition to the British1 Crown of one of its brightest jewels,' tho function in which we are taking part is intended to bear witness to the prevailing spirit of Imperial partnership and team work which,-if translated rapidly into more intimate and permanent trade relations, throughout the Empire, will bring happiness and prosperity to its peoples and make a healthy contribution towards the of world conditions." j The menu itself included saddle of New Zealand lamb 'specially selected and supplied by the Meat Producers' Board. KING'S MESSAGE, As chairman, the High Commissioner was at his best. As usual, he paid careful attention to dramatic situations, and his interpolated stories were apt and amusing. • The King's message, in reply to a message of loyalty previously read, came in the middle of the dinner, and Sir Thomas Wilford lost no time in letting the guests know its contents. His Majesty wrote: —. "I am interested to learn of the inauguration of New Zealand Day in London and warmly thank you for the loyal message which you have sent on behalf of those assembled together to.night. I am very glad that my son is present with you on this occasion. GEOEGE X.1." ■Tho guests were also pleased to receive a message from , the GovernorGeneral (Lord Blcdisloe): — "Greetings to -all -at New Zealand Dinner. Dominion delighted at Prince of "Wales attending and his forthcoming broadcasted message. Work on rehabilitation of Waitangi well in hand." From tho Prime Minister came the following telegram:— - • "On behalf of the Government and tho people of tho Dominion I extend cordial felicitations on the occasion of the inauguration of New Zealand Day. The development and progress of New Zealand within a single century may firstly be regarded as ah outstanding tribute to British citizenship- and to the sterling qualities of the pioneer settlers in building so solidly the foundation of the Dominion. That characteristic spirit of tenacity will surely help the country" to overcome its present temporary difficulties. .We' feel proud that, the inauguration function should be honoured by the presence' of his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, who is remembered here with such warm regards and loyal affection." DISTINGUISHED GUESTS. On the right hand of the chairman sat the Prince. Next to him was Earl Jellicoe and then thei Hon. G. H. Ferguson, Admiral Sir Lionel Halscy, Sir B. N. Mitra, Lord Rutherford; Mr. James M. Ecndol, Sir Ernest' Harvey, Sir Fabian Ware", Sir David Chadwick, Sir Clement Kinloch-Cooke, and Lieut.Cbl." Eric Murray. On the left of the chairman were the Et. Hon. J. H. Thomas, the, Earl of Liverpool, the Rt. Hon. Stanley M. Bruce, Admiral Sir James Fergusson, Mr. H. W. Dulanty, the Hon. J. W. Downic, Sir Edward Hai-cling, Lord Strathspey, Sir Horace J. Wilson, Sir William B. Hardy, Sir Thomas W. Parkinson, Sir Percy G. MacKinnon, Air Commodore C. T. Maelean, and Sir Stephen1 Tallents. In submitting the toast of "Our Guest," the chairman said that the first thing that appealed to New Zcalanders in regard to the Prince was that he always "played cricket" in whatever sport he played. Alluding to the Prince's keenness for flying, the High Commissioner said: "While he is every day an aristocrat of the air, may he be at the end of j every flight among the landed gentry." , Sir Thomas- then read the farewell message sent out to the people- of New Zealand when the Prince was leaving the Dominion in' 1920. That message, he said, had never been forgotten and never would be. "I have read Mr. Neville Chamberlain's speeches, arid budgetary addresses," continued the High Commissioner, "I have read of the vast liabilities of this country, but at no time has the balance presented to this country had included among assets his Royal, Highness the Prince of Wales. No one can question the fact that his Eoyal Highness is an asset to the Empire, whether it is as ambassador, philosopher, or statesman. I believe the American people would forgive us our war debt iri return for the Prince of Wales. (Laughter.) Thisis no time to refer to American polities and Teligion, but I would like to say in regard to America we shall never forget what we owe her." (Laughter.) BONDS OF EMPIEE. The High Commissioner went on to speak of the invisible bonds of Empire. He would hate to see the Empire bound together by some form of legal expression, and somo day the legal authorities at The Hague defining our relations with some other part of the Empire. s Coming again to the subject of his toast, the High Commissioner said: "Our guest tonight has done more for cementing the Empire, for making the Empire the admiration of the world than any1 single man beyond his Majesty the King. Those of us who belong to the further portions of the Empire realise the value of the fact that his Eoyal Highness has visited every part of the Empire. He has been to New Zealand, and they have never forgotten him, and never will. I can assure our guest ' tonight that the warmest sentiments that were expressed towards him when he was in New Zealand are the sentiments of those gathered here tonight."