TOPICS OF THE DAY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 29 September 1908, Page 2

TOPICS OF THE DAY.

Asked by reporters on leaving Alban (W.A.), forafar< admiral sperhy's well message t farewell. the Commor wealth, Admire Sperry, of the "Great White Fleet,' r.aid : — "I am sorry that the time ha arrived for farewell messages, but th feeling in this Fleet towards Australi could not be purchased with gold. \V are truly sorry to leave you. Some o us, apparently, are determined to b adopted by you. This is not remark able, for from the Prime Ministe dwnwards, from Sydney to Albany Australia has treated us in a way tha tan engender but one desire in th breasts of those who have been the for tunata recipients of her lavish hc«pi tality, namoly, to remain and bathe ii its effulgence for the rest of their days Of the vigour and potentialities of tin Commonwealth my mind is full ; as m.\ haai-t is brimming with the kindness a its pts'.ple. But to talk about it jus now is a pleasure in which I can no l«-iiitiniat«ly indulge myself. It mus sullice, as I am sure it will, if 1 mingle with my unqualified thanks tf youi' people my confirmed admiration ol their island continent. May it be per. mitted to continue in peace its benefi dent work of dpvelopm'f nt ! When tlial is completed, who 6hall compute thi national importance of Australia, tilt Empire's queen daughter of the iS.mth era Seas? Give my fareyell to youi puoplo, and say we hone to carry oui recollections of Australia beyond th( fjrave. "