NEIGHBOURS IN PACIFIC

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18387, 1 May 1923, Page 8

NEIGHBOURS IN PACIFIC

EX-CELL RELATIONS.

(LEAD FROM UNITED STATES.

PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED.

The very happy relations existing between the Americans now established . in Samoa and the people : . of New Zealand : were again emphasised at the luncheon which the Hon; C. J. Parr, on behalf of • the Government, tendered to Captain Pollock and his ; officers at the Grand Hotel yesterday, immediately following the- civic reception at the Town Hall. .: Captain E. T. Pollock and Commodore A. G. Hotbam, of H.M.S. Chatham, occupied places at the head of. the table with the Hon. C. J. Parr, and near them wero the Mayor, Mr. J. H. Gunson, Mr. K. -del G. , MacVitty, American Consul, M. - Paul Serre, French Consul, Lieuts. Ertz, Mullen and Humphreys, of, Captain Pollock's staff, Sir J. G. Ward, the Hon. A. M. Myers, Captain, P. R. M. ; Mundv, A.D.C. to the Governor-General, Colonel . H. R. Potter, and Lieut.-Commander Agar, Y.C., B.N. There were also present, Messrs. H. R. Mackenzie, chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board, W. Wallace, chairman of the Auckland Hospital Board, H. Horton, Dr. T. W. Leys, tho Hons. J. G. Garland and J. P. Campbell, Messrs. W. A. Beddoe, .Canadian Trade .' Commissioner, A. Harris, M.P., J. S. Dickson, M.P., W. J. Holdsworth, • chairman of the Auckland Power Board, H. W. Hudson, president of the . Chamber of Commerce, A. M. Ferguson,: president of the Navy League, J. Hislop, Under-Secretary for 'Internal Affairs, J. D. '• Grav, Under-Secretary ■: for External Affaioa. Deavoll, F. ■ W. Millar, and Dr. F. Hay. v. - ~ ' The : proceedings opened with the British and American National Anthems, and the toasts of His Majesty the King and the President of tho United . States were duly honoured. ; - In proposing the toast,"Our Guest, Captain Pollock," the Hon. C. J. Parr said the Mayor at the civic reception had most appropriately welcomed Captain Pollock as the representative of a great nation and a great navy, . but he wished to welcome him as our nearest neighbour in the Pacific. .It was possible, he said, to have all -kinds of neighbours. l'hey - could, be good,' bad, or indifferent,": but he was- glad of the i opportunity to be fable to a.<'loiow ledge that: in their guest .they had an excellent neighbour. (Applause.) v\ e indebted' to our friends of the United. States at Tutuila for- their courtesy/ and the immense assistance they had ,ro dered to'- us. The Minister, expressed the wish that the feeling of. good comradeship which now existed would- long continue.. , 4 caching briefly on the future of the Pacific,. AU*. Parr ; said ,we must seek a solution of . Che problem . acceptable to•>. all . the ■ people .on the fringe of that great ocean, and to; the United States as the great Power • -n the Pacific we would look for. a lead in those Pacific problems,' as the noble: idealism- of thefUnilcd States would" always be a lead to true humanity. In conclusion, the Minister- expressed the wish. that 'captain L 01-. lock and. his officers: and men v wo'ildyspend an enjoyable holiday in New Zealand. ?.-•••.; " If we are not killed ; with'kindness before :we leave . here the : memory . of ; :: ; this visit will' always be most pleasant, said Captain Pollock,; in/reply, adding that .the officers with him had never been to JMew ; Zealand 'before and they now realised why he had been so keen : to make this trip. The kindred feelings and hospitality which all English-speaking peoples bad for each other, was emphasised to a greater* extent, hero than anywhero else, and this was no doubt due ;to the fact . that : the mandate placing New Zealand in control of Western Samoa had brought New Zealanders and Americans together in .the one group of islands. It was impossible said Captain Pollock, to express the gratitude he and his officers felt for the .welcome they had received, but it was nevertheless sincere The very ! happy gathering closed with the National Anthems of both countries,,