N.Z. DINNER.

Grey River Argus, 20 June 1927, Page 5

N.Z. DINNER.

AT LONDON. Speeches by Leading People (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) (Received June 19 at 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, June 17. There were 400 enthusiastic guests at the New Zealand Annual Dinner at the Mayfair Hotel. Sir J. Parr presided. Mr Amery (Colonial Secretary) was the chief guest, and others were: —Lord Jellicoe, brilliantly b’emedalled; Sir Joseph Cook, Sir James Mills, Lord Islington, Mr Douglas Hay, the Bishop of London, the Earl of Liverpool, Mr Huxham, Mr Robert Bell. Mr P. A. Brett, Admiral Beal. Generals Chaytor and Purse, Mr Peter Larkin, Mr Hyland, and Mr. Murray (shipping, banking, and produce representatives); Lord Vesty, Mr H. T. B. Drew. The menu, which was outstandingly [characteristic of New Zealand, included Toheroa soup, and rainbow trout, sent iby Mr Coates at the request of Sir J. Parr; Canterbury lamb, and passion fruit. An ice sensation was created on the appearance of an. ice image of a kiwi. The floral decorations included pohutakawa, native ferns and flax, Riinu saplings, and nikau palms. Sir James Parr bade Mr Amery godspeed on his Dominions’ visit, and invited him to essay the Mount Cook climb. Mr Amery’s legal and journalistic training, fortified by his military and political career, enabled him soundly to appreciate the Dominion temperament. Only good could result from a visit to the Dominions by a statesman of such calibre, and others should fol low the example. Mr Amery, after loud cheers and cries of "Kia Ora,” said the artist in ice last year had thought those attending the dinner would be fettered by ice kangaroo, but to-night’s artist had been on safer ground with the kiwi. The Imperial Conference” had demonstrated the Empire was not an administration governed from one centre, but a Commonwealth under a common Crown.

The Bishop of London said it was one of the cheeriest dinners he ever attended. He hoped it would make all the other visitors go to New Zealand. He referred to the glorious warm-hearted welcome he received, specially at Christchurch, from a Mayor who was a Baptist minister, a Labour member, and a jolly good fellow, too. The Bishop said he never felt more at home than in New Zealand, whose Archbishops and Bishops were the finest he had met round the world. It had been reported that he had said in a letter to the Times that, after speing the Governor-General, Prime Minister, and Labour Party in New Zealand, he had formed the opinion that only ten thousand people could go to New Zealand yearly. He wished to make if clear the Governor-General never said anything about migration. Sir J. Parr interpolated a farewell toast to Sir Joseph Cook (retiring Australian High Commissioner), saying he was sure all would join in wish ing him many years of activity and usefulness. Lord Jellicoe proposed the toast oi the Chajirman. He assured h?m -of the sympathy of every New Zealander in carrying out his important work. In the intervals between the Conferences it was desirable that British Ministers should go out and get persona] touch with Overseas Colleges. This applied particularly to the Secretary for the Dominions. Mr Amery said he had most pleasurable anticipations of what his visit to New Zealand would mean. He recalled his visit thither in 1913, and hoped to extend his mountaineering exploits, which then were confined to Mt Eden. He hoped to meet tho colleagues who were building up Ney Zealand, which was a little nation with a great heart. Anzae had demonstrated this, as he had seen when visiting Russel’s Post in the days when al deemed, victory near. New Zealand Samoan administration was a true emplification of. the mandate. Mr W. Pember Reeves, proposing the toast of The Visitors, pointed J- 11 Hay, sitting opposite Lord J elhco ’ and suggested that if Mr Lowry (the cricket captain) wanted help, hei should send out a S.O.S. for Lord JeUicoe, who was a notable batsman. The Bishop of London was a Ashe of men for which reason he should have enjoyed the notable trout fishing New Zealand. Mr Amery’s i New Zealand visit should ? t oucnce Mr Beeves also paid a tribute ?o Sir J. Cook and to Colonel Gray, as “the Antipodean Adam who tempt ed the British Eve with New Zealand apples. ’ ’