THE EMPIRE SPIRIT

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 75, 26 September 1933, Page 9

THE EMPIRE SPIRIT

TRUE CO-OPERATION

BONDS OF SENTIMENT

THE NAVY'S OUTLOOK

It was only by patriotism and by co-operation with the Mother Country and other parts of the Empire in all phases of life that all could work together for the common cause, and it was only by the joining of hands that the larger purpose of the Empire could be served, said Rear-Admiral R. C. Dalglish at the luncheon tendered him and officers of the' Australian Naval Squadron by the New Zealand' Club at Kirkcaldie and Stains yesterday.

In addition to the guest of honour there were present LieutenantCommander N. K. Calder, Lieuten-ant-Commander L. E. Porter, Paymas-ter-Commander J. E. Hehir, LieutenantCommander V. E. Kennedy, and Lieutenant G. "". Bowe, of the Royal Australian Navy;, Captain C. M. Graham, Paymaster-Comnjander R. F. Durman, Lieutenant-Commander G. St. A. Alcock, Paymaster-Lieutenant-Com-mander C. S. Hickman and Lieutenant M. A. Hardcastle, of the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy; Mr. J. T. Grose, president of the Navy League; Mr. S. W. M. Stilling, representative m New Zealand of. the Australian National Travel Association. * The chief guest was introduced by the president of the club, Mr. W. M. Wright, who expressed the pleasure of members at the privilege of meeting and doing honour to distinguished, visitors to the Dominion.^ Rear-Admiral Dalglish said that he had noted that one of the^hief objects of the New Zealand Club was to foster, patriotism, and he then spoke of the association of New Zealand and Australia with the exploits of the Navy from the time of Captain Cook, who had spread the spirit of British enterprise in the Pacific and who had set so fine an example to all those who had followed 'him. The spirit of Empire co-operation the Navy had attained, and it was for the purpose of keeping it alive that the New Zealand and the Australian - Governments had agreed to the present visit. , RearrAdmiral Dalglish referred to the opportunity the Navy had of coming into contact with peoples and places, and said he was of the opinion that there was no room for the person, who, with sublime faith in his own country, refused to interest himself in the affairs and concerns of others. PROTECTION OP THE EMPIRE. "I feel it is unnecessary to remind you of the reason for the existence of the Navy and of its manifold duties, and that it is an insurance against emergency and the integrity of the Empire," he continued. "So"' long as human nature is what it is, a, nation must have some form of protection. I think, too, it is fair to say that, generally speaking, the personnel, of the Navy possesses a wide outlook and considers the Empire as a whole; not merely thinking of. the section in whicn it lives or serves. "Each nation of our Commonwealth of Nations is master of its own development and faith, not bound together by law, but by sentiment far more binding than' law, and infinitely more capable ..' of -good ".'.results. Throughout our visit to New Zealand I havo been 'struck with the extraordinary love and loyalty which is shown by all the peoplo I have met; for his Majesty, for tho Royal Family, and for the British Isles—always spoken of as Home. That seems to me the very echo of patriotism, sentiment, and imperialism. . .... "Ignorance arid a lack of understanding," said Rear-Admiral Dalglish, "are the only dangers in the path of perfect co-operation. One might, therefore, well repeat today the advice on British citizenship given by Mr. Stanley Baldwin in his Empire Day speech a few years ago, 'Know/Your Own.Empire.' And so our cruise in these waters has provided a number of us with an opportunity of visiting New Zealand for the, first time, and has helped us to know New Zealand. In.addition to meeting your own people, it has allowed my officers. and men to meet the New Zealand Division at naval exercises, competitive games, and in recreation. All are for our mutual benefit, and my officers and I are much impressed by the weapon efficiency and keenness of the New Zealand Division." The members of the squadron would return to their station with the remembrance of many friendships,, with the most pleasant recollections of an instructive and happy time,, and hopeful that the visit of the Australian squadron had done ' something to cement even further the already strong bonds which unite. Australia and, New Zealand, said Rear-Admiral Dalglish, and in conclusion he thanked the club for the honour bestowed upon him and expressed the warm appreciation of all under his command of the entertainment and unbounded hospitality which had been shown them by the people of Wellington, of the Dominion, and by the Government. Tho chairman then presented the guest with a small silver tiki mounted on a greenstone base, remarking that it was the custom of the club to present a souvenir to distinguished guests to mark the occasion of their visit. Rear-Admiral Dalglish briefly replied, expressing appreciation, of the thought which prompted the gift.