U.S.A. SQUADRON’S VISIT

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 March 1941, Page 8

U.S.A. SQUADRON’S VISIT

WELCOME AT AUCKLAND PROGRAMME OF FESTIVITIES [PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] AUCKLAND, March 17. A squadron of six American warships entered Auckland this afternoon to. the thunder of saluting guns. They will stay two days. The squadron comprises two modern cruisers, the Brooklyn (flagship) and the Savannah, and the 6th destroyer division, consisting of the destroyers Case, Cummings, Tucker and Shaw. It is commanded by Captain Ellis S. Stone, of the Brooklyn, and the total complement of the six ships is approximately 2,300. The cruisers berthed at King’s wharf, and the destroyers at the western wharf. Formal calls were exchanged by Captain Stone with representatives ol the Government, the fighting services, and local authorities, and shore leave was granted to a large proportion of the ships’ companies. The, people ol Auckland will have an opportunity tc greet the visitors at midday to-mor-row, when there will be a ceremonial

march up Queen Street to a civic welcome outside the Town Hall. A State dinner will be held at the Grand Hotel at night. Two parties of 500 officers and men will visit Rotorua tomorrow and on Wednesday as guests of the Government, and two parties of 250 each will be taken on sightseeingtrips near the city. Dances are to be held in the Town Hall to-morrow night and Wednesday, night. The squadron will leave port on Thursday- . x Later the Mayor (Sir Ernest Davis) entertained Captain Stone and some of his officers at an informal dinner at the Grand Hotel to give them an opportunity to meet New Zealand chiefs of staff. In the early evening a number of officers from the ships attended a sherry party at the officers’ club. In spite of the black-out the men on leave appeared to find their night ashore thoroughly enjoyable. Many of them were to be seen parading Queen Street, or conversing with New Zealand sailors and young people of both sexes. Numbers took advantage of free admission to picture theatres. Arrangements had been made to provide sleeping accommodation and breakfasts for them at the Y.M.C.A., the Salvation Army People’s Palace, the Carrie Hostel, and other establishments. These facilities proved most welcome, and were fully utilised.

Although the American dollar is worth 6/- in Auckland, several cases were disclosed where some of the visiting American sailors were given as low as 4/- for their money. A representative of the Bank of New Zealand is to travel on the special train to Rotorua, and during the journey he will change the visitors’ money into New Zealand currency. Representatives of the bank will also attend at both wharves, and will change dollars into New Zealand currency at the official rate of exchange.

SALUTES FIRED. Under a grey sky the American warships made a fine sight as they rounded North head and steamed across the calm waters of the Waitemata to theii' berths. The first to appear a few minutes after 3 p.m. was the flagship Brooklyn. She had not long been in view when a cloud of white smoke, followed by the faint thud of a gun, showed that, she was firing a salute. Continuing on her way, and slowly turning to starboard, she fired 17 guns altogether. The saluting battery cn North Head replied. Smoke rose over the neck of land, but no sound reached the official party waiting on the end of King’s Wharf, where the two cruisers were to berth. As she drew nearer, escorted by two tugs, the Brooklyn looked a formidable fighting machine, with her five triple turrets and lofty fore and aft fire-control towers. Hundreds of bluejackets drawn up along her rails showed up against the mauve-grey of her paintwork. On the wharf, in readiness for her arrival, were the American Consul, Mr. J. G. Greeninger, Commander J. P. Olding, the United States Naval Observer, and a Government group headed by the Undersecretary for Internal Affairs (Mr. J. W. Heenan). Two parties of seamen from H.M.S. Philomel, under an officer, were on the berth to handle the lines.

Piloted skilfully in, the Brooklyn was berthed with the quiet efficiency that marks American and British naval practice. All the hundreds of men along her decks looked bronzed and particularly fit. Some were perched on the upper works, and faces even logked'out of the windows of a pinnace in the davits. One sailor stationed at the rail amidships was conspicuous in a steel helmet and rubber boots, with a telephone instrument fastened on his chest.

In due course, shrill pipes saluted the Consul as he went aboard, followed by the rest of the official party. First to go ashore was a detachment of about 20 ship’s police, distinguished by arm badges and khaki leggings, who departed with a local police sergeant as guide. After an interval, hundreds of liberty men swarmed over the gangways, all anxious to make the most of shore leave until 7 a.m. tomorrow.

The cruiser’s commander, Captain Stone, had been discussing the proposed arrangements for the visit with Paymaster Lieutenant-Commander Ashby, of the Philomel, who had gone aboard with the pilot. He soon left on a round of calls on the American Consul, the chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board (Mr: Hendry Luke), the Mayor (Sir Ernest Davis) at the Town Hall, the Minister for Internal Affairs (Mr. Parry), and the Minister for Defence (Mr. Jones) at the Grand Hotel, and the three New Zealand chiefs of staff, Commodore W. E. Parry, Major-General Sir John Duigan, and Air Commodore H. W. L. Saunders. All these calls were returned later aboard the flagship. “When we Americans look westward, we think of you in New Zealand and Australia,” said. Captain Stone, in a brief interview aboard the cruiser Brooklyn, after she had berthed. “The. ties of blood and common interest could not be stronger than they are at this time between us in the United States and you in these southern Pacific countries.” He regretted that orders forbade him to say anything about the squadron’s present cruise, except that his ships were .■ in Auckland that day, and would depart on Thursday.

OFFICIAL MESSAGES. WELLINGTON, March 17. Messages were .exchanged to-day between the Prime Minister (Mr. Fraser) and the commander of the visiting United States squadron, Captain Ellis S. Stone, of the cruiser Brooklyn. Mr. Fraser’s message said: “On behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand I extend to you, your officers, and your ships’ companies, the warmest of welcomes to New Zealand. We are looking forward to meeting you and greeting you as representatives of that great and powerful nation which is doing so much for us in our struggle for freedom and democracy, and we hope that your stay with us will be enjoyable and fruitful.”

Captain Stone replied: “The commander, officers, and men of this squadron acknowledge with deepest appreciation your most cordial mesr sages of welcome. Bound as our two peoples are by ties of common blood and common interest, we are most grateful for the opportunity to visit a country whose armed forces are daily adding to the laurels of their glorious past. Your hospitality is traditional in my service. We who are here now feel privileged indeed to pay our respects to you, and through you to the people of New Zealand.”

SCENES OF ENTHUSIASM. AUCKLAND, March 18. The first public appearance of Captain Ellis S. Stone, Officer Commanding the visiting United States Naval Squadron, was made last night, in the Town Hall, a few hours after the arrival of the cruisers and destroyers, when with a party of his officers he was led into the Town Hall by the Mayor, Sir E. Davis. and Bishop Liston, during St. Patrick’s Night concert. The great organ burst into “The Star Spangled Banner,” and more than 3000 people rose to cheer the visitors. Rev. Dr. Terry, in a short speech, welcomed Captain Stone and his party. “No more welcome visitors have ever come among us,” he said, in calling for cheers, which were given thunderously, with a spontaneity remarkable for New Zealanders.

Captain Stone acknowledged the welcome, remarking that the serried ranks of bonny children on the platform made a refreshing and charming sight for a sailor home from the sea. He said his officers and men were delighted to be in New Zealand. The naval officers were obviously charmed with the singing of the massed choir of children, applauding the anthem “Hail, Glorious St. Patrick.” There was a mighty outburst of cheering as the visitors left the hall to the strains of “The Star Spangled Banner.” American naval ratings and marines were besieged by members of the audience to autograph concert programmes. This typified the manner in which Auckland has taken the American naval men to ' its heart. Queen Street, last night, was. full of gay parties of sailors and marines, fraternising freely with New Zealand soldiers, sailors, airmen and citizens. Everywhere, Uncle Sam’s men were arm-in-arm with young women, thronging to dance halls. Traditionally open-hearted, the Americans delighted the children m Queen Street, by giving away packets of “candy” and ice cream, after prodigal spending in sweet shops.

CIVIC RECEPTION. AUCKLAND, March 18. With showers of confetti and streamers spanning the streets, and enthusiastic hand-clapping and cheering, many thousands of Aucklanders to-day expressed gratitude for the United States’ help in the war against aggression, when 250 sailors, representing the six American warships in port, marched up Queen Street to the Town Hall, where they were accorded a most 'enthusiastic outdoor civic reception, in the presence of a dense mass of citizens. Tall and well-pro-portioned, the sailors created a fine impression by their general bearing and efficient marching. The parade was commanded by Lieutenant Firth, of the cruiser Brooklyn. The warmth of the reception 'was obviously appreciated by the guests of honour, but, true to the tradition of the sea, they revealed their feelings only by their smiling countenances. CAPTAIN’S SPEECH

The most piquant scene of the memorable civic reception was when Captain Stone was cheered to the echo by a large crowd in front of the Town Hall, as he stood to respond to the greetings extended by the Mayor, Sir E. Davis, the Minister of Defence (Mr. Jones), Commodore Parry, and others. Captain Stone stood erect, an impressive figure in naval uniform, bearing about the shoulders a kiwi mat, and in his hands, the patu and taiaha of a chieftain, presented to him by Mrs. Mitchell on behalf of the Maori people.

With a courtly gesture, Captain Stone bent forward and kissed Mrs. Mitchell’s hand.

Addressing the citizens, Captain Stone expressed the thanks of the officers and men, and on behalf of the American people, extended their thanks for the manner in which Auckland had entertained and cared for the American women evacuees from China, when they called recently. That had made a profound impression in the States.

Captain Stone referred to the previous naval visits on missions of goodwill. Speaking of the visit of the Great White Fleet in 1908, he said that was a very far seeing gesture by the then President, Theodore Roosevelt in establishing friendship with the British Dominions in the Southern Pacific. “My memory is not very good,” he said, with a smile, “but if I remember rightly, that also was a training cruise.”

TO-DAY’S EXCURSIONS

AUCKLAND, March 18.

The early promise of fine weather was not fulfilled to-day, but showers did little to spoil the success of the excursion to various points of interest in the city and suburbs, arranged for 250 officers and men from the American naval squadron. Conveyed in eight motor-buses, the party left the ships at 9.30 a.m.,'and is due to return at 4 p.m. The places visited includes Achilles Point, the Museum, the Ellerslie Racecourse, where the party lunched, and the Papakura mobilisation camp. A similar excursion has been arranged for to-mor-row. ..