THE AUCKLAND RECEPTION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11680, 15 June 1901, Page 4

THE AUCKLAND RECEPTION.

No greater testimony could be paid to the success of the Auckland reception than the rush to secure the credit for our spectacular triumph. It is ever thus. Sometimes it is difficult, to discriminate betweeu rival claimants for public recognition, but there is no Baconian cryptogram in these, works of our own civic hands. The Government was too plain and persistent in refusing to make the event a national one for the laurel wreath to be in doubt. The Government arch, the Government platform and the ropes are the Alpha and the Omega of Governmental activity. The citizens of Auckland themselves came to the fore. To use a stereotyped phrase: " they rose to the occasion." The Citizens' Committee collected the money, being nobly assisted by a vote of £1000 passed by the City Council and receiving small sums from a few other local bodies. Citizens individually decorated their premises, thus enabling: the committee to make a fuller display. The Harbour Hoard joined in the good work, but from first to last the Citizens' Committee organised and directed the campaign. In the Hush of victory Auckland is happily prepared to admit, that the Government was right in its reliance upon civic patriotism and local pride. But it is not prepared to admit that the throttling of the intended display of war canoes in Waiteroata was a helping hand,. As for the Government having any claim to the credit of our success all who know the circumstances know it to be ludicrous.