AUSTRALIAN SQUADRON.

Otago Witness, Issue 3756, 9 March 1926, Page 73

AUSTRALIAN SQUADRON.

UNITY OF ACTION IN PACIFIC. WELLINGTON, March 3. The official Government luncheon to the principal officers of the visiting Australian squadron was held at Parliament Buildings this afternoon. The guests numbered over 50, and comprised the Ministers of the Crown, the local members of the Legislature, representatives of the Government departments, including officers of the naval and defence departments, and representatives of the various civic authorities. In the absence of the Prime Minister, the lit. Hon. Sir Francis Bell presided. In proposing the health of the guests, Sir Francis Bell opened with an apology for Mr Coates’s absence, and on behalf of the Government extended to the officers and men of the squadron a welcome from the people of New Zealand. He assured them it was not merely old-fashioned politeness that prompted the welcome, but fraternity between the peoples of New Zealand and Australia. He welcomed them to the Canberra of the Dominion. Referring to the navy, Sir Francis said it would always be the first line of defence. Great as Australia was, immense as the area she controlled was, and great as was the future prophesied for her, New Zealand would have a share in the great destiny of the Empire. The pepole of a country of similar size to New Zealand from which most of us had descended had already played a great part in the history of the world. Sir Francis said it was realised that it was time Australia and New Zealand bore a greater share of the contributions towards the defence of this portion of the Empire. The necessity for the protection of our lines of communication was being emphasised more tha»n ever. He pointed to the extension of mandates to Australia and New Zealand over the surrounding islands, and made reference to the union of the two countries, which destiny probably held in store. The present visit must have an educative infle* ence upon the people of New Zealand, Recalling incidents in which the Australian navy figured in the Great War, and referring to the union of Australia and New Zealand during the war, he said he hoped that that record of union would never fail in the course of the history of the two countries. The perpetuation of that union was one of the objects of the squadron’s visit, and he hoped its continuation would give us control of the Pacific and, as we deserved to have, peace in the Pacific. In replying, Commodore Wardle commended the ideals outlined in Sir Francis Bell’s speech, and said he felt sure the visit would have a very great influence on the relations between the tw T o countries. • The warm welcome given them had made a very deep impression upon the officers and men alike, who declared they had never known such hospitality before. A series of naval exercises had been arranged, which would be of great value should the need arise for naval engagements. Sir Francis had said that the two countries must come together, and the more opportunities there were of bringing the peoples of Australia and New Zealand together the happier all the world would be. All forces should combine for the defence of the great Empire to which we all belonged. Commodore Wardle commended the efficiency and willingness of the men under his command, and said he could wish for no better men. He concluded with a further word of thanks for the warm welcome and the reception accorded them.