THE LOCAL SQUADRON

Evening Star, Issue 19017, 12 August 1925, Page 2

THE LOCAL SQUADRON

CIVIC REGEPTIOH OFFICIAL WELCOME TO VISITORS ** RELATIVES TO RELATIVES." A civic reception by the mayor, a ceremony inseparable from such an occasion as tho present, was accorded to Rear-Admiral Marvell and tho principal officers of the ships in Dunedin at His Majesty’s Theatre yesterday afternoon. The theatre was well filled, and the proceedings were of a most enthusiastic nature, the big crowd extending a warm welcome to the visitors. The guests of honor were accommodated on the stage, which had. been tastefully decorated with pot plants and shrubbery under the direction of Mr Tannock, Speeches of welcome were made by the mayor (Mr H. L, Tapley) and Mr James Bogg (representing the Navy League of New Zealand). On the arrival of Rear-Admiral Marvell and his party at the entrance to the theatre a salute was given by a smart guard of honor provided by the sth Mounted Rifles (Otago Hussars), accompanied by the Third Arm.lery Band, which struck up' the ‘Starspangled Banner.’ Proceedings inside the theatre commenced with the singing of a verse of ‘ God Save the King,’ followed by a spirited rendering by Miss Marjorie Reynoldson of the ‘ Star-spangled Banner.’ This lady later contributed another enjoyable vocal item.

THE MAYOR’S WELCOME. The Mayor said he had asked the citizens to join with him in extending to Admiral Marvell, his officers and men a warm welcome to the city. The occasion was unique, for so far as he was aware this was tho first time the port had been visited by American ships of war. It was their privilege to have in Dunedin fifteen ships representing tho great American fleet that was at | present visiting the dominion. (Ap--1 planseA In 1908 an American fleet did I visit New Zealand, but the visit was confined to Auckland. It was gratifying that, on the occasion of this visit of the fleet of our American allies, Dunedin had the honor of a visit from a number of tho vessels. Ho was satisfied that it was going to accomplish much in cementing the friendship and cordiality _ that existed between the great British Empire and the great United States of America. (Applause.! Although America was a foreign nation from an international point of view, they in tho British Empire did not regard her as a foreign nation in the ordinary sense. Both nations were | sprung from tho same stock, and were i proud ho have the same ideals and tho ! same characteristics which made for the j uplifting of their own peoples and tho | people of the world. (Applause.) It | was inconceivable that the British Emin ire and tho great American Republic | should work otherwise than together in I what was for the common good of both ] countries and for the good of the world. ! (Applause.) These two great nations | were bound indissolubly by ties of hisj tory and by ties of blood. It was true i that 14.9 years ago bitter feelings did j exist; but those feelings had long since I passed away, and the spirit of friendi ship with the United States to-day was 1 stronger than ever it was. (Applause.) , That spirit of friendship was strength- ; ened during tho late war, when American soldiers fought and died with reckless bravery alongside British soldiers, 1 fighting ior justice, freedom, and , liberty. Those feelings of friendship ■ were also intensified by tho gratitude i which was felt by the ’people hero to--1 wards our American cousins for tho lavish hospitality and great kindness :to Now Zealand soldiers, both going jto and returning from the war. (Ap- ; plause.) Never in the history of tho ■ world was there a rimo when it was | more desirable for the United States and Great Britain to stand together to make for the pence of the world. Tho 1 nations who were connected with tho i late war still felt the effect of the war , scars and the horrors that had to he ! gone _ through, and no one wanted a I repetition. It there were another war it would Jio more horrible still. Ho was satisfied that there was a desire in both countries that there should bo no more war, and that in future disputes should be settled by arbitration. That was an idealistic state; but if Britain and America, stood together their influence would go a long way towards maintaining the peace of the world and bringing about the settlement of disputes by arbitration. They all knew that those nations were out to protect the interests of small nations. The : visit of the American fleet to Now i Zealand and. Australia was of very ! significant importance, for tho friend- i ships formed and the discussions which j would take place would help to create I even greater understanding and friend- I ship than existed before. He hoped they would carry away with them plea- : Pant recollections of their visit fn this the _ most southerly portion of the Empire. . (Applause.) A souvenir booklet giving views of Dunedin and of tho scenery of Otago was being presented to every member of the 1 crews of the vessels bore, and ho ‘ trusted that they_ would be posted to relatives in America.-Ji.no would thus . get to know this part of the British Empire better than they did before. On behalf of the citizens bo extended A sincere and hearty welcome to the visitors. (Applause.) Mr Tapley then presented Admiral ; Marvell with a hound copy of the souvenir booklet. ’ !

NAVY LEAGUE WELCOME. Mr James Begg, president of tlie Council of the Navy League of New Zealand, said that lie wished to extend r - welcome on behalf of the vaviout* branches of the Navy League of New Zealand. 'J he Navy League was not a warlike organisation, but an organisation for peace. They felt that one of i lio best guarantees of peace in the future waa. a great American fleet in if'ie Pacific. They did not regard Americans as far distant, but considered them as near neighbors. No doubt they folt a long way from home, but they in Dunedin were just as far away from their own Homeland, and they were used to thinking in those jong distances, _ The centre of their loyally and their political system was Id,ooo miles away, and consequently they regarded America as being comparatively near, and, indeed, quite neighborly. He emphasised that there wore many ties connecting New Zealand and the States. Possibly it did not occur to their engineers who built the transcontinental railways that they were providing them with their quickest route to their own home country. That was one tie, and there were many others.

REAR-ADMIRAL’S SPEECH. Rear-Admiral Marvell was receded with loud and continued applause. “ lu the name of the ofiicers and the men,” lie said, “of that part of the United States fleet that is so safely moored in your beautiful harbor, I wish to thank you for the welcome that lias been so gracefully given to us. It is most pleasant to bo here among you. and it is most pleasing to hear the words of greeting that His Worship the Mayor of your city lias given us. Jt makes us feel perfectly at home. (Applause.) I might almost say that it is as if we bad just returned home. (Applause.) Tho greeting has seemed not from a stranger to another stranger, or as from a friend to another friend, but it has been that of one relative to another relative. (“Hear, hear,” and applause.). We all of'us are descended from the same stock. You in your generations hove preserved that stock undiluted. and wc in America are of many races, but through, it all there stiii runs the blood of tho Normans and of Anfilei au4 pi the other races pf tho

North of Europe. It may he true that we have in us French and Spanish and Latin blood, but that blood has come together, so that we have become American, just as you, with your undiluted descent from Scotch, Irish, and English, have become New Zealanders. (Applause.) Nevertheless, through the blood of both of us runs the blood of the old sea kings of Europe. (Applause.) You came to this beautiful country a scant ninety years ago, and you have made of it a paradise; and what you have done in the days gone by you will excel in the years that arc to iconic. We have come to you on a friendly, peaceful visit—(applause)—to see what you have done on this side _nf the world. There is no more peaceful sot of people in the world than naval people. (Applause and laughter.) Our business is with warlike armaments, hut nobody anywhere loves peace better than the naval officer. (Applause.) He knows what the horrors of war are, and if there is anything that he can do to avert it you can rest assured that he will do it. (Applause.) It is most delightful to bo among you, and it is with the greatest pleasure that I again thank you for the grand welcome and the great hand-clasp of friendship that you have extended to us upon our arrival in your port. We appreciate thus welcome most highly, and we hope that some time we will he able to welcome yon one and all into our own homes in our own .country of America.” (Loud applause.) The gathering concluded with vociferous cheering and tho singing of ‘For They Are Jolly Good Fellows.’

THE PRSSRMIfiIE WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12. 8 p.m.—Returned Soldiers’ Association Choir (100 men). 8.30 p.m.—Otago Women’s Club (girls’ section), dance at Savoy Buildings (40 officers). THURSDAY, AUGUST 13. 8 p.m.—Otago Officers’ Club, smoke concert (30 officers). _ Home Science staff, Otago University, dance in Allen Hall (30 officers). 8 pun.—-Dance at Early Settlers’ Hah (up to 100. petty officers). 8 p.m.—Boxing competitions, at which it is hoped to arrange for exhibition bouts between representatives of tho several units of the fleet. At the conclusion of tiie competitions the local Boxing Association will entertain 800 men. FRIDAY, AUGUST 14. Visits by rail to country towns 1. To Palmerston. Local residents will entertain 100 officers and men. 2. To Waikouaiti. Local residents will entertain 50 men. 3. To Middlcmarch. Local residents will entertain 50 men. SATURDAY, AUGUST 15. Visits by rail to Oamaru, Milton, and Mosgiol:— 8.40 a.m.—To Oamaru for 300 officers and men, where they will be entertained by local residents. 9.5 a.m.—To Milton, where; 100 officers and men will ho entertained' by local residents, 10.25 a.m.—To Mosgiel, where 200 officers and men w'lll ba entertained by local residents. 2 p.m.—The finish of the New' Zealand cross-country championship will ho decided on Forbnry Park, to which tho members of the ships company are invited.' 3 p.m.—Rugby football at Carisbrook, to which officers and men of tho fleet are invited. 8 p.m.—Dance at Early Settlers’ Hall ‘ for up to 100 petty officers. SUNDAY. AUGUST 16.

Arrangements have been made by the several churches for special services, to which tho ships’ company are invited. MONDAY, AUGUST 17. 8 p.m.—Returned Soldiers’ Association entertains 60 men in Kroon’s Hall. TUESDAY. AUGUST 18. 11 a.m.—Trotting meeting at Forbury Park, to winch all officers and men aro invited as the guests of the club. 8 p.m.—Dance, Early Settlers’ Hall, for up to 100 potty officers. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19. 11 a.m.—Trotting meeting at Forhury Park, to which all officers arid men are invited as the guests of tho club. THURSDAY, AUGUST 20. Fleet departs from Dunedin.