TIES THAT BIND

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 13 August 1925, Page 5

TIES THAT BIND

U.S.A. AND NEW ZEALAND. LANGUAGE AND IDEALS. WELCOME TO AMERICAN NAV Y. (.BY TELEGRAPH PRESS ASSOCIATION. WELLINGTON, Aug. 12 The State luncheon tendered to Admiral R. E. County, (commanding olncer of the American fleet) and the officers of the squadron visiting Wellington took place at- the town Hal. this afternoon and was a highly suc-

cessful function. Altogether .there were 525 guests present, and the proceedings weie marked by lively enthusiasm. The Governor-General piesided, and besides members of Gao: net, and of both branches of the Legislature there were representatives oi city and county local governing bodies, witin Sir Joseph Ward and other men prominent in public or official life. ihe guests were received by the .Prime Min- ( aster (Hon. J. G. Coates). At the eondLus'ion of tlio luncheon, which was marked by great goon humour and fellowship between the visitors and the New Zealanders, mo Governor-General proposed the loyj.i toast- of “The King” and “The President- of the United States,’* both oi which, were drunk with musical honours. In. deference to the conditions ruling in the visitors’ home land the function was “dry,” but this fact. oi. not in any way tend to put a dampei on the harmony of the proceedings oi the flow of good humour. The Prime Minister proposed the toast of “Our Guests,” and was received with loud and prolonged applause and the singing of “for lie’s a Jolly Good Fellow. ’ Before beginning his own remarks, Air. Coates reau a letter from Mr. I'. M. Wilford (Leader of the Opposition) apologising for his absence owing to indisposition. He joined with the members of the Government in extending "a hearty welcome to our kinsmen. ’ “1 know, ' wrote Mr.' Wilford, “and have appreciated the hospitality of Americans’to New Zealanders in America, and 1 believe the American ambassador to the Court of St. J,almes -spoke truly a year or two ago when lie said that il George 111. had spoken to America f-s George V. had spoken to Ireland recently we would never have been apart. For the -prevention of war and the peace of the world,” Air. Wiltord concluded, “1 eoinsider this tour of the .American fleet of the utmost importance.”

Mr. Coates, in welcoming the fleet, on behalf of the people of New Zealand, said he desired to express the very great pleasure aill felt at the. honour conferred by the visit, especially when it . was remembered that, like that other great Pacific power Japan, the United States stood with Great Britain and her Allies in the Great War to uphold freedom and honour ami to maintain the cause of humanity. “New Zealand must ever be closely linked with the destinies of the Pacific Ocean. She is indeed fortunate in this respect in being associated with those two great friendly powers, the United States and Japan. Never before in our history have we been drawn so closely to the United States as now, when but a comparatively short time -ago both nations fought -side by side for the basic ideals of democracy. America has ever been in the forefront of democratic nations and has striven to teach her people to realise the watchwords of liberty, freedom and equality. “Apart, however, from close association in war, -there are other end more permanent bonds which draw our two nations closer together. Paramount amongst these i.s the bond of common language. A common language is the very root of national sentiment. Wt read the same .books; the- literature •aid art of each illation, are readily available to the other; and we aie alsounited by the common basis of our legal and politic-ail institutions, which reflect- the freedom of our peoples. h u any wonder, then, that we should '■lierish the same ideals tor our own peoples and for the welfare of the human racef ’ ’

Mr. Coates referred to the rise of tilt American nation and the part its Government had taken in the framing »i the Versailles Treaty, and concluded • •‘lt its for our national interest and economic advantage that there should he closer co-operation bet wen America and New Zealand. In saying that i recognise, of course, that the country’s first luty is towards its own people, but if iuguns well for the future of the world vf the spirit of co-operation between both the English-speaking countries ■an be cultivated; and if the friendship m both sides of the Atlantic merges unto a wider friendship among all the civilised countries of the world. Let as all fervently hope that the work may never again be enveloped in >r. welter of blood and tears such as-hap-pened in those never-to-be-forgotten years 1914-1918.” In conclusion, Mr. Coates expressed die hope that the friendship Avliicli relay existed between us wouid be stii: 'urther strengthened a,s a result of tins visit. * THE! ADMIRAL’S REPLY.

There was an outburst- of enthusiasm when Admiral Coontz rose to speak at the State luncheon, and lie had to w!u;lt a moment or two for it to subside. He opened with a word of praise for Wellington’s harbour and weather, winch had favoured the squadron is arrival. Ke said very many people in America imagined that New Zealand was a long wk.y down somewhere near the Smith Pole. lie pointed on 1 that the greatest cities of the United States were- along a belt a little above the fortieth parallel, corresponding with the- latitude of Wellington in the Southern Hemisphere, and his men found it nowhere near the South Pole.

“You have a wonderful country.' .said Admiral Ooontz. When they read of the wonderful wealth' per capita and the health of Ncav Zealand they understood what a splendid country it wa« New Zealand was a country in which a man who war. to J to work could make a success of life. The United Stares was going to grow yet, and here New Zealand, with its wonderful, stock, would grow to untold millions. They must, however, he prepared to avoik. The .admiral said that when he was Governor of Guam lie found the natives disinclined to work, and -an examination! disclosed that they Avere suffering from hookworm. Sometimes n seemed, to him that other people must he affLicied" with hookworm too, and perhhps if measures Avere taken ro eradicate that trouble other troubles might cease, also. The United States in 1879 had a population of three millions, end it was now 10 millions. Tie believed i lie prosperity of the country was due to the influx of white peoples from Europe, but. it was the sturdy type of

its pioneers that laid the foundations of that prosperity. Admiral Coontz said lie admired the jhoiieers who fared forth and; adventured into unknown lands and established new countries. New. Zealand and Australia had the same experience in this respect as America. Even in Ills own day the pioneers had gone out in slow moving ships on long voyages, living on hard tack, and knowing often wliat real privation meant. Here the admiral let fall an aside that fairly brought down the house, when he remarked, with a twinkle In. iiis eyes visible even through the thick smoke screen going up from hundreds if cigars, that “conditions have changed in some parts of the world that hard tack has become a- very scarce commodity.” . Continuing, the admiral said he liked the look of New Zealand, its people and of Wellington harbour, adding quizzically that- good harbours were getting .scarce. (Laughter.) People had not looked ahead enough. Even the Panama Canu.'i barely' allowed tlie battle-cruiser Hood to pass through. Now Zealand was interested deeply in refrigeration and transportation, .and a-s .ships grew in size to carry her produce only the best harbours would Le of use. Admiral Coontz said the Premier had spoken highly of the United States. He felt proud of tlie United States, the motto of which was: “A square deal l'or everyone. ’ This had .been their aim in freeing Cuba from local tyrannies and also Nicaragua. She hoped also to .secure better conditions tor Hnyti in the near future. America. only desired to- see all the nations tvl' the world dwelling together in pence and unity. Now Zealand, added the admiral, already had overwhelmed his men with the. hospitality offered, and all wouid take away wonderful memories of their sojourn here, which would be told over and over again when they got home. He thanked New Zealanders for the welcome extended and the entertainment provided, which exceeded their 1 iveliesifc airt-ieipations.

ROUGH WEATHER IN HARBOUR. MEN HAVE TO REMAIN ON SHORE. WELLINGTON, Aug. 13. A fierce easterly gale blew all last night. The sea was so rough that the warships’ boats were able to convey only a comparatively small number of officers and men who were due. aboard. Nearly 2000 officers and men, in addition to those on shore leave, had- to be accommodated on shore, but tlie emergency was well met at the Y.M'.C.A. and at the shelter sheds on. the wharf.

WET DAY AT AUCKLAND ROUND OF VISITS. AUCKLAND, Aug. 12. After the glorious premise of yesterday’s bright arrival ram fell to-uay. However,, many of tlie frequent liberty boats from tlie ships were full. The city was crowded with jailors to-night, who atteiuded entertainments .provided lor them and patronised the picture shows. .

As the representative of the Government, the Hon. Sir Janies Parr returned Admiral Robison’s official call uhis morning. A few minutes later Admiral S. Robison, accompanied by his eliief of staff, “piped over the .side”, to a waiting launch, which whisked the party away 'across the harbo-ur to H.M.S. Philomel, where the official, call of Commander Miles, senior base officer, was retained.

FESTIVITIES AT CHRISTCHURCH. CHRISTCHURCH, Aug. 12. •" The Altai r, the mother ship of the United States squadron now at Lyttelton. arrived this morning front Melbourne. During the forenoon.. Rear-Admiral Schofield visited the three Lyttelton schools and addressed the scholars. The majority of.the liberty men remained in the city, a few availing themselves of the hospitality of the Metropolitan Trotting Club, but a number of officers attended and were the guests of the stewards. High tea, was provided for 500 men in the Ant Gallery and a dance followed, while the citizens tendered a ball to the officers m the Caledonian Hall, the function being largely attended. DUNEDIN ENTERTAINING THE MEN. DUNEDIN, Aug.- .13. The American naval men A’isiting Dunedin are becoming more at home and making friends. To-day’s entertainment included a visit by Bear-Ad-miral Marvell to the Boslyn Woollen Mills, a motor trip to the country by the officers, dinners, dances and other entertainment for the officers and men. Four men left to-day for the Blue Mountain area for the purpose of shooting deer and AA r ild pigs. VISIT TO HAMILTON. 600 MEN ENTERTAINED. HAMILTON. Aug. 12. Six hundred men from the American fleet came to Hamilton to-day bv special train. They were welcomed on arrival by the Mayor, and a- fleet of motors took them for a run round the toivn and environs. The men were entertained at luncheon, and given liberty for the afternoon. A football match was staged, and it ivae hoped to arrange for an exhibition of baseball. The weather is Avintry, and the men greatly feel the cold.