NEW ENTERPRISE COMMENCES

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7055, 17 February 1910, Page 1

NEW ENTERPRISE COMMENCES

P. & 0. COMPANY INAUGURATION OF DOMINION SERVICE. LUNCHEON ON THE STEAMER. PRESS ASSOCIATION. AUCKLAND. February 16. The P. and O. steamer Malwa arrived .at 7 o'clock this morning. Captain Troque, in an interview, spoke most eulogistlcally of the Auckland harbour, and said he thought it one of the safest ports he had ever entered. Mr Trelawney, the company's superintendent in Australia, bore out these remarks, and hoped the best results would follow the extension of the service. The company's object was rJot to compete for the intercolonial trade, but to catch through passengers from New Zealand to England, and from England to' New Zealand. • At one o'clock, this afternoon, lunch, was given aboard the Malwa. Captain Troque presided, and with him were the Hon. G. Fowlds (Minister of Education), Hon. Dr Findlay (Attorney-General), Messrs W. F. Massey,, F. E. Baurae, F. .Mandcr, and A. E. Glover, M.P.’s, and many others. The Hon. Di Findlay said he had to express the regret of the Prime Minister at his inability to be present on this auspicious occasion. He could not understand how it was that Auckland had almost a monopoly of historic events. Almost everything of historic interest \n connection with New Zealand had taken place in Auckland. He put it .down, partly to Auckland "push," and partly to helpful Providence. The arrival of the Malwa was an historic event, an enoch-marking event. The P. arid O. Company had sent one of their best vessels along, and they recognised that 'it meant that New Zealand had progressed, and earned the distinction of having a port of call. He was not speaking on behalf of Auckland ; people alone, - although if Captain. Troque read the Auckland papers he might believe Auckland was the only place in. New Zealand. (Laughter.) There were,.some, other villages in the Dominion, i The Dominion was proud of Auckland, however. .It was one of her proudest daughters, though' according to the local papers It was one of the shyest and most modest of her daughters. He believed the time 'was now coming'when the galaxy of companies which' served Australia would very shortly extend operations to . New Zealand. Their advent, would mean a great-deal to New Zealand as a young country. - It meant l that they were* being 'drawn closer to the Motherland. k They wore being favoured by ; a - visit from one of fhe leading captains of the P. and O Company. - He proposed the toast of “Success to'the P. and-0. .Company, and Success to its ! Commander, Captain Troque." . • Mr W. F. Massey, in • supportling. Dr Findlay, said this was the first occasion on which he found himself “in the same boat" l with that hon. gentleman. It meant a' great deal that Auckland was to be made a port of call by the P. and O. Company. It did not require any prophet to foretell that within five years the volume of business would greatly increase, and he believed the P. and O. Company . would reap its reward. On behalf of the • producers lof this country, he expressed satisfaction) that another strand would be added to the cable which ; would bind New Zealand to the Bmpire. He believed the:event they were that afternoon celebrating was an epoehmarking one in the history of Auckland and New Zealand.Air Trelawney, superintendent of the P. and 0. Company,, responded on behalf of the company, and expressed pleasure at meeting those present, and said that he hoped that "Mr Massey's prophecy would bo fulfilled. , Captain. Troque also responded to the toast. ,

The Malwa left at 6 o'clock on her return voyage, carrying over one hundred passengers. She took no cargo, but carried away bullion valued at A>27,000.