The American Fleet.

Northland Age, Volume IV, Issue 42, 22 June 1908, Page 5

The American Fleet.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—With reference to the meeting convened to consider tho matter of the visit of tho American fleet it was no doubt generally considered that the idea that, the Admiral might be induced to visit the Bay of Islands was doomed owing to tho fact that where the Empire City failed the North could not succeed. However there is no doubt in the minds of thinking people that it is a duty which wo people of the North owe, not only to our American visitors to our Dominion but also to ourselves, that we should take this opportunity of showing in some effective and dignified manner that the North of Auckland is fully aware

of the conrtesy, significance and importance of the visit of the American fleet to these shores.

Those of us who not being born in these parts have yet identified ourselves with the North cannot help being painfully aware of tl..- fact that among the people of the S. cl!, and even among the dwellers in Auckland city itself the North of Auckland i* held to he of much less consideration Mi an integral part of our Dominion than our position backed up by onr statistics would show.

This is to be regretted because it has hindered and, unless dispelled, will continue to hinder, the influx of capital and of settlers—the backbone of our country. It has also no doubt affected us at the hands of Parliament, hut—as Kipling would say—that is another story.

However the fault is ours, and ours too is the remedy. If we, as a people, let no opportunity go by entirely we can press the claims of our country in a manner reflecting honour on ourselves and this feeling will disappear and disappear would also the disabilities attaching to it. Muoh has been done. The sending of representatives to the Counties Conference last year opened the eyes of the South to Northern possibilities and I feel sute that if the inhabitants of the four counties came more in contact with Southern men they would realise more fully what a very great influence for good the ability, zeal and dignity displayed by onr representatives has had in removing false hut deep-rooted impressions.

There still remains much to do. The present gives an opportunity for action. We cannot afford to send representatives bnt we can show our appreciation in other ways. Let the four counties pass an unanimous resolution expressing on behalf of the 15,000 inhabitants of the Bay of Islands electorate a welcome to the United States Representative. Let there be embodied in Buch resolution particulars of statistical interest in connection with the North. Let it he signed by the Clerks of Counties, the Chairmen and members, and let it he conveyed to the Admiral either by a representative Chairman or through the American Consul. It is not much to ask—tho expense is infinitesimal—but tho thoughts that would inspire suoh a presentation would he worthy of ourselves and would he accepted with appreciation and held in honour.

I put this forward as a practical suggestion not coming from myself alone hut from those who have given the matter much thought. I put it forward because I feel that we would not he true to ourselves as descendants of the colonists who have founded this Dominion if we did not in some way display our appreciation of the truly national importance of the occasion.—l am, eto„ ARTHUR G, QUARTLEY.