THE AMERICAN FLEET.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LIII, Issue LIII, 9 April 1908, Page 5

THE AMERICAN FLEET.

VISIT TO NEW, ZEALAND;/ fPEBSS ASSOCIATION,] f ' . DUNEDIN; April 9. Th« Governor has Becejyiea ' the following -wire 'rom the Secretary of State for the Colonies :— "The United States Government accept with "great pleastwe' the invitatioin of yofar .Qoverninent, for the American fleet to vieib New Zealand, but it will only be possifiilie to visit Auckland, m view "of the speedy return ol the fleet to the Atlantic." ' AUCKLAND, April 9. The Mayor, interviewed' to-night, said he would do all he could front a. civic standpoint to entertain " tfre . American, fleet in a manner befitting ihe occasion, amd would call a public meeting . to %i$ cuss the whole matter^ .At the -game; time Ec emipEasised 'the fact that the visit was one ol national significance, and as the invitation had been seiit 4>y' the Prime Minister on behalf of 'New Zealand, be had too , doubt Parliament would make 1 special provision for the proper entertaining of the fleet. ..He suggested that ParHamenit isfiouM adjourn during the visit and all , members come to Auckland. The, Mayor also, said he hoped the. importance of the Maoris playing, a prominent padE in t&e festivities would not be lost sight of. ■