EMDEN WELCOME

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 686, 11 June 1929, Page 7

EMDEN WELCOME

mayor to be asked to RECONSIDER AUCKLAND’S RECEPTION The German Consul at Wellington, Mr. W. Penseler, is to be asked to withdraw his request to j the Mayor of Auckland that no 1 civic reception be arranged for the officers and crew of the cruiser Emden, which is due at Auckland on June 26. Whatever the consul's action, the Mayor will be approached and asked to reconsider his decision regarding the reception of the warship. rpHIS decision was reached at a meeting in the Lewis Eady Hall last evening to consider recommendations made by two committees set ; up at a meeting last week. Mr. E. Lanyguth, former consul at Auckland for the Austrian Empire, who convened the previous meeting, presided over an attendance of about forty people, including representatives of bodies interested. When discussing the question of a civic reception, one speaker said that ' a good many returned soldiers appeared to be against the Mayor’s action in deciding not to tender a civic reception. He proposed that the Mayor should be approached again. Sir. O. J. Thedens, Austrian Trade Commissioner for New Zealand, who was appointed secretary, said he had been approached by men who had been at the war and they had made it clear that they had no objection whatever to a civic reception. "FANATICS’” OBJECTIONS

The previous speaker expressed the opinion that the German Consul had done the correct thing in making his request to the Mayor. “Speaking as a New Zealander, I think a civic reception should be given,” said aonther speaker. "I do not think the consul made a right estimate of the feeling in Auckland. Whatever question crops up some fanatics rush into the Press and voice their objections. I do not think they represetn one per cent.” It was decided to hire the Scots Hall, Symonds Street, for Friday, June 28, for a reception and dance. The hall will be draped with the British, New Zealand and and German flags. The programme will include an address by the Hon. George Fowlds, representing the League of Nations Council, and a Maori entertainment. Supper will be served, the question of catering being left in the hands of a committee. BY INVITATION It was decided that admission should be by invitation only, and that invitations be sent to the Mayor and Mayoress, Commodore G. T. C. P. Swabey, Brigadier H. R. Potter, the chairman of the Harbour Board, the president of the Returned Soldiers’ Association, and the foreign consuls. The chairman said the City Council intended allowing the men to travel on the trams free and to have free use of the Municipal Baths. Mrs. Rullz, a representative of the League of Nations Union, said that the union proposed entertaining the officers and cadets with a motordrive and to give the men a concert at the Sailors’ Club. A letter from the Consul-General for Australia and New Zealand, Herr Buesing, stating that he had heard of the committee's efforts, was received. He expressed his gratitude and added that he would be pleased if the committee would work in conjunction with the consul.

Mr. Penseler wrote stating that he would be in Auckland on June 24, and would be at the committee’s service. The chaplain of the Missions to Seamen, the Rev. H. K. Vickery, wrote offering the use of the institute for any entertainment which might be given. The ship’s company would be invited to use the institute and a concert would be given on July 1.