THE FLEET’S FAREWELL

Evening Star, Issue 19024, 20 August 1925, Page 2

THE FLEET’S FAREWELL

CIVIC DINNER "REAR-ADMIRAL AMD OFFICERS ENTERTAINED FELICITOUS SPEECHES In the Tudor Hall, Savoy, last evening the mayor. (Mr H. L. Tapley) and city councillors entertained RearAdmiral G. R. Marvell and officers of the American fleet at a complimentary farewell dinner Besides the mayor and councillors there were present members of the various entertaining committees, consuls, and forty officers. Altogether, about 120 sat down to dinner. The hall was beautifully decorated. The Mayor stated that ten days ago it was with pleasurable anticipation that they had looked forward to the visit, aha their pleasure had been more than exceeded by the associations the citizens had had with both officers and men. They all previously regarded Americans as their cousins, but did not know ranch about them personally, and the masses of the people had not before had the opportunity of really meeting them. Now they had met them dailyand he might say nightly as well (laughter)—and had found that tho visitors were certainly their American cousins; in fact, more than cousins—they were brothers. (Applause.) It was impossible to think otherwise, and in tho future the same sentiment would always be expressed. Various reasons were no doubt associated with the object of the tour. Perhaps it was to reciprocate the visit made by tho British Navy to America. He -would like to think, however, that the real object was 'to meet the people of the British dominions in their homes. (Applause.) The mayor made strong reference to the possibilities for world peace which the co-operation of the American Republic and the British nation would open. At the back of all was the principle of the brotherhood of men, and though that and world peace might ho idealistic, they would get nowhere unless they exchanged thoughts and ideas on the subject. Continmngj the mayor said that tho visit to Dunedin had been a great pleasure to all, and the association would result, when the ships had departed, in lifelong friendships. Many personal friendships had been made. The mayor read a letter from the president of the Otago Motor Club (Sir A. E. Ansell) highly praising the conduct of the men, and those sentiments, ho added, were fully shared by the citizens generally. Those were the sentiments deep down in the hearts of all who had become acquainted. He hoped that the visitors would carry away the happiest memories. The day when they might have a renewal of tho visit, he trusted, was not far distant. If so, he hoped that Rear-Admiral Marvell and his officers would be with them again, but if he was not, then a warm-hearted welcome would be given to whatever officers came as 'the representatives of tho great American nation. Mr W. A. Scott, a member of the City Council, introduced by the mayor as a citizen of American birth, contributed plenty of humor in tho course of his remarks In support of the toast. He concluded by endorsing_ the idea that the British and Americans were brothers rather than cousins, and when the principle was fully recognised their friends the officers would bo out of a job. (Laughter.) REAR-ADMIRAL’S SPEECH.

Rear-Admiral Marvell, who was received with cheers and the singing of ‘ For they are jolly good fellows,’ said lie was rather nonplussed as to what to say in reply, but he would take some of the points mentioned as ho remembered them. The mayor had referred to the visitors as “cousins,” and then, as the word wap passed along, ho spoke of them as “ brothers.” Tile fact that the American colonists in 177 b had founded the United States of America was one thing that made the British Empire possible, because they were fighting for the liberties which had been retusecl by the then King of England, who, as they might know, was of German descent, and who had in his Parliament friends who refused to listen to the advice of Lord North and tho other distinguished statesmen of the time. Tho liberties which the United States then fought for were tho liberties which the had been described as “ cousins,” but had' been desorbed as “cousins,” but perhaps it was now time to call them “ brothers ” on account of their common descent and speech and the many other things which they did not have in common with any other nation. Proceeding, Rear-Admiral Marvell said; “Nearly ten days ago your harbor was peacefully invaded by the Melville and the eleventh and twelfth division of destroyers, part of tho United States fleet cruising in these waters. To-mor-row this detachment will have completed its mission, and will have started on the first part of its return to the United States. You may ask: What was or is the mission of the fleet to New Zealand waters? This can bo answered briefly ns follows ; —Two years ago, when making out the schedules for employment of the fleet for this year it was realised that a foreign cruise had not taken place for a number of years; that the officers and men, in order to gain experience and broaden their outlook, should see ports and peoples other than their own; that tho American mon-of-war were but rarely seen in foreign waters, and that all in all it would be good for our navy to make a long sea trip. Then it was decided that Australia and New Zealand would bo the most desirable countries to visit, because their people and ours bad a common language and were alike in many other respects. Perhaps we had in the back of our heads that down underneath the official courtesies and ceremonies, always pleasant, urbane, suave, and courteous, would be a real welcome—one from the heart, not from the voice only. And our welcome in these waters has been felt by us to be warm-hearted and true, and we appreciate the generous hospitality that has been so lavishly showered upon us. “We wanted to see you, and apparently you wanted to see us, for the mayor made strenuous efforts to get ships here, and succeeded. I am very glad to say that this force I now command was selected to come to your beautiful harbor and city. You have opened the doors of your homes to our men, and have given them the great pleasure of knowing you thus intimately. This, you must know, is wonderful to those who have been away from hearth and home aide for so many months. It has, I hope, paved the way lor that good-fellowship and friendship that is the base of understanding and appreciation between fellow-men and leads to the same between our nations. That this understanding and mutual respect null withstand the stress of trouble I arn certain. “ Our impressions of your country cannot ho fully expressed in words. Sufficient to say that wo think you have ono of the most beautiful lands in the world. Your snow-capped mountains, vour green valleys, your cities and villages, your white houses with their red roofs nestling in the dark trees of your hillsides—all make a scene most pleasing to the eye, and, now that we know your people, most pleasing to our hearts. Let me thank the Entertainment Committee that has so generously given of its time to our entertainment; the Y.M.C.A. and the gracious women who have done so much for our men; the various organisations and clubs which have opened their doors to us; the mayors of the surrounding towns; the Harbor Board for its expert help, advice, and kindness to us m the many details.that occur in

all port work; the council for the things 'it has done to make our stay pleasant j and particularly the mayor; Nothing has been too important that you could not put to one side to show us the true hospitality of your city. You have placed yourself ‘at our disposal, hare arranged the many details that are incumbent on you as host in such a manner as to endear you to us all, both men and officers. And I wish to thank all of you public officials and private citizens for the hiany things you have done to make our stay so pleasant. “ We leave you to-morrow with sadness that our personal acquaintance with you has been so brief. I hope that in the years to come you will think of us as individuals first and them as representatives of our nation. I know that we will carry with us to our mother land the memories of our,, friendship with you, and we sincerely wish you all the good luck, good fortune, and happiness in the world. An revoir, not goodbye, and may the Supreme Ruler of the universe shower you with blessings in all your future years. Au revoir.’* The Mayor thanked the Entertainment Committee and the Finance Committee, which had worked so hard to ntake the visit a successful one. Ho paid a tribute to Captain Mac Lean for having made such successful arrangements for bringing the fleet right up to the heart of the city. Cr Clark (chairman of the Entertainment Committee), Cr Taverner (deputy-mayor), and Captain Mac Lean (harbor master) briefly responded. The toast of “ Our Hosts and the Good Reople of Dunedin ” was honored by the American officers with a “ four N yell ” and the “ siren yell.” During the evening the Savoy Orchestra rendered a number of musical items, and songs were contributed by Messrs Sydney Taylor and A. Rawlinsou. Major F. H. Lampen told some entertaining ‘ Tales of Long Ago,’ and Mr Walter Vernon, the ventriloquist at present appearing at the Princess, also gave an acceptable item.

11l LIGHT VEIN THE ADMIRAL CONTRADICTS. “ Tell your friends in America to come to the Exhibition in 1917 ” Even tho mayor gets things mixed at times. This was Mr H. L, Tapley’s exhortation to Rear-Admiral Marvel! and his officers tit the complimentary dinner last evening. “ Of course, 1 meant November tho 17th,” he said, correcting himself, but succeeded only in attracting more laughter. He once also referred to the “two great republics of Great Britain and America.” In fact, tho dinner last'evening was as replete with humor as It was with cigars and—orange water. 'Talking of his native land, Mr R. Scott, introduced as an ex-American, said that there was only one part of the world worse than Southern Massachusetts, and that was—Northern Massachusetts.

Evidently tho admiral hails from somewhere” near the place that bears this barbaric name. Ho was into the controversy a few seconds after he rose to reply to a toast. “ I want to toll Mr Scott this,” he said, “that Northern 1 Massachusetts has a bettor climate than Southern Massachusetts.” AUCKLAND'S ENTHUSIASM [Per United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, August 19. A march of 2,000 men from the American battleships was the main event of the fleet programme to-day. With bands playing and banners flying, the men made a very bravo and striking show, which earned the admiration of the spectators, of whom there were about 80,000 lining tho route ten, twenty, and thirty deep. It was a thrilling sight. Admiral Robison took the salute at tho Town Hall. Tho marines marched with the air of a regiment of foot guards on parade, and rousing cheers greeted them. The crowd momentarily broke the barriers near the Town Hall, and the march was held up, but order was soon restored. At night the Harbor Board gave a dinner to the Admiral and officers. ROYALLY RECEIVED PURELY A VISIT OF FRIENDSHIP. [Per United Press Association.) AUCKLAND, August 20. Speaking at the Harbor Board dinner Admiral Robison said that while in Sydney ho had mentioned that tho accounts of tho welcome of the 1908 fleet had become a tradition of the United States navy, and all of those now on tour were interested to see the countries that bred the men who covered themselves with immortal glor” on Gallipoli and France. He was sure that the name “ Anzao ” would last as long as history. (Applause.) Since the snips' had been in Auckland they had been royally received, 1 and he wished to convoy thanks of all ranks for that hospitality ._ Some ncople tried to give their visit a‘political significance, but, as with the 1908 tour, it was purely”"ono of friendship. They did not try to disguise the fact that when they came on such visits they came among brothers, and felt very much at home.

Tho Admiral remarked that he had mentioned to Lord Burnham that all New Zealanders were journalists, for as he understood the term, a journalist was a judicious embellisher of facts; and the people of this country were so enthusiastic about their beautiful country that as boomers the people of the United States were back numbers by comparison.