CIVIC RECEPTION.

Colonist, Volume LV, Issue 13752, 18 June 1913, Page 2 (Supplement)

CIVIC RECEPTION.

TO CAPTAIN HALSEY AND

OFFICERS,

Tho City Council Chambers were crowded yesterday morning on tho occasion of the civic reception to Captain Halsey and tho officers of H.M.S. Now Zealand. Among thoso present were the Mayor (Mr W. Lock), Mr. H. Atmore. M.P., Crs " Piper, Adams, Hampson, Webley, Mercer, tho Bishop of Nelson, Bishop Mules, Rev. W. Baumber, Messrs H. It. Duncan (chairman of tho Harbour Board) H. Everett (chairman Waimoa County' Council), J. Brown (Murchison County Council) G. E. Clusnall (for Mayor of Richmond), M. Simpson f Mayor of Motueka). G. Winter (Takaka County Council), R. P. Hudson (president- Moutero FruitgrowersUnion), C. Y. Fell (president ot the Navy iWuo), W. W. Snodgrass (preeidont of tho Chamber of. Commerce), and other representative citizens. . ;In extending a welcome to Captain Halsoy. and the officers of the Mow Zealand, the Mayor (Mr. W. Lock) sa id -—Nelson is in the happy position oti this occasion of welcoming to las_ man Bay one of tho latest and most effective* arguments that Britain rules tho sea, viz., an up-to-date Dreadi nought. It is worthy of note that Britain's maritime ■ supremacy has never been seriously questioned sinco the national hero from whom this proi vinco takes its name —Lord Nelson— I shattered tho naval power of France, |a\id turned tho cxirrent of Napoleonic ambition at tho battle of Trafalgar. No place in Now Zealand is so intim- ! ately connected by historic names and j association with British sea dominance as Nelson. Our city is named after its greatest Soa Lord, and our streets and squares bear the ramo3 of his associates,, his ships, and his victories. It is therefor© riot sxirprising that this place should bo particularly interested in naval affairs, and stirs to every touch of true patriotism, or that the warmth of our welcome to these hardy sons of tho sea is only limited.by the shortness of their, stay. To Captain' Halsey, his officers, and his men we,

gLdfy Rivo t!io fnulnt o' om ci^ ' tt < iccogmso 111 it iho irn^imu il bit loihip which lii \ in ti v \ a j)oi! Uidkus fromuJl ofl«iin *om vh j (Luiphtei to the Motlui Si ilt , and I) i I don moio to pio\n oh nii \ oi on I ding links oi" J inj iif d o • ill \r lion to the Homt' id I t i v ill I sine© the late .Mi m nn 1 the contingent iui i It I>u miv i ilean wai JL>in n iih r ilu v < acknowledgment of tiio assist?, mw received at that time wa> Lo' givo v-» sonic of the captured gum;. Her magnificent response to NVv, Zoalami's present gift, in sending tin. newly build instrument <>t w;::r on :t mission of peace and goodwill to Uie country which gave it a vicarious birth, "has touch.*! the hearts und imagination of our people, ;u;d euitwi forth unbounded ■■ demonstrations of patriotism, loyalty, and appreciation in various part.-; of New Zealand which tho ghip lws visited. We want no local navy. Wo uuia our .people Lo bo one people, with one history, out; future, ono aim, and ono fa to, and, •]. may say, one navy. Bui. we want that navy to be tho most complete, the most, perfect and overpowering that the self-sacrifice, unity, skill, and ingenuity of our Jilmpiro can attain.' Thou wo will know that baioty, peace;, concord, and progress for thi*, tin- , greatest ever of earthly empires, wiii ;be permanently assured. Our nava) j authorities must keep pace (and more I than keep pace) with tho joalou.i rivalry of European nations for tin? maintenance of the supremacy of the .sea. It does not mean that when we build ships |hat we intend to go lo war. It merely signifies tiiat we are ready to meet without quailing, or compromise, or eleventh hour frantic haste, whatever emergencies, through jealousy or malice, may arise. Until tho era of universal^disarmament, now so fondly prophesied and fervently pray for, we must bo on our guard by sea and land. Wo hope the day may como when international disputes and differences wili bo settled by arbitration, but until then we must be alert, equipped, and prepared, not only to police the seas, protect our commerce, guard our Empire, and, if possible, preserve the -peace of the world, but be prepared for any emergency. On behalf of tho citizens of Nelson I oxtend to you a most cordial and hearty welcome to Nelson. I regrot that your stay is so limited, but J. hope it will be an enjoyable one, and that yoti will bo _ able to take away pleasant recollections of your visit to our city. We may be proud that we gave the Dreadnought, but more proud that Groat Britain accepted the gift. (Loud applause.) j Mr. H. Atmoro, M.P., as the representative of tho people of Nelson district addtxi a we.come in a, vigorous and patriotic speech. He said ho objected to the term "gilt battleship," and said that in his opinion it was the belated recognition of what New Zealand owed to the Mother Country as an integral part of the same Empire. As to the manner in which the gift was made, thero was no necessity to refer to that, but that the gift had been endorsed by the people was shown by the demonstration^ that had taken place in all parts of the Dominion. Prior to the gift of the battleship Now Zealand's contribution to tho British Navy was only Is lGd per head, whilst the taxpayer of Great Britain was paying 17s 4d. Ho agreed that we did not want small nations with email navies, but one whole navy under, tho sole control of one central body, to bt> tiscd when tho life of the nation was threatened. In his opinion the establishment o£ small navies would be a retrogressive step and one that tho > Empire would regret. New Zealand, ho said, had done a wise and proper thing, and tho Dominion's contribution'to the Navy was simply a premium for tho insurance of the safety of our homes. Mr. Atmoro said ho did not bo.ievc in the decadence of tho British' Empire, and ho did not believe the Empire would decay so long a-s Great Britain opened her doors to tho persecuted peoples of other countries. The .steady infusion of new blood would keep her virile. Continuing, Mr. Atmoro said he did not .believe tho big clash would be between England and Germany, but would como when East met West. He, therefore, tirged the working men to see that the tariff barrier was maintained in order to keep out the Asiatic. To keep up a tariff war they must have a powerful force, and there was nothing bettor than the magnificent engine of destruction that ■was lying in the Baythat day.. Ho believed that the officers and men of the Navy to-day wero inspired with the same feelings as when Lord Nelson shattered the French and Spanish fleets at Trafalgar. 'So long as Britain set an example to other nations they had nothing to fear. In concluding Mr. Atmoro said that although Nelson held the Dominion record for sunshine, ho regretted that tho day was overcast, but he assured Captain Halsey that would in no way detraot from the warmth of their welcome. Cr. liampson, representing the City Council, added a few words of welcome. Ho said they looked upon tho arrival of the New Zealand as an epoch which form<?d a link in the chain which bound the Empire together. He hoped when the time camo for the New Zealand to give way to other ships that she would not bo ''scrapped," but she! would bo kept liko the Victory, as an example of what had been done by tho Dominion for tho Mother Country. Cr. Hampson also spoke strongly fo favour of ono Navy for tho Empire, j In joining in the welcomo Bishop Sadlier said that he was at a disadvantage as thro© speeches had already been made. As a, representative of the re- j ligious community, he added _ some words of hearty welcome to tho visitors. One of the great difficulties in young nations, said his Lordship, wa« that i they were likely to lose their heads, but the visit of H.M.S. New Zealand would help them to realise some of that calm equanimity that had over been characteristic of Britishers. The visit of the battleship would tend to increase that feeling of sentiment that some people had the foolishness to reject, but it was sentiment that ruled the world. He did i not believe in jingoism, but he believed' in keeping; the robber out of tho boundaries. His Lordship referred to what had been don© by the late King Ed- • ward VII (Edward the Peacemaker), and Emperor William, of Germany, to maintain tho peace of the world, and said the present King was following in the noble steps of his father. "We after all should bo generous an*! give praise whore praise is due. Wo h&lievo," sr.id Iris • Lordship, _ "that the Empiro stands for something better than opening u\> acres and something better than conquest over other nations. Wo stand for the great benefit of mankind, and for tho great privileges of freedom and righteousness. In our young country we have endeavoured to do something, and that selfsacrifice is evidenced in tilio presence of the battleship in the' Bay to-day Wo believe in freedom and righteousness, but thero are always limits to freedom." Freedom was not the ability to do as ono liked, but to work in harmony with one's fellow citizens. When freedom and righteousness went hand in hand there need be no fear-of the future. "I am sorry for the pessimists," concluded his Lordship, "and lotfk forward with hope, and especially in the rising generation } that tho bonds which have bound us in the Empire will become stronger and stronger." (Applause.) Ho was proud to welcome their visitors that day. Mr. O. Y. Fell. a« president of th<» Nayy League, extended a welcome on

i ;( i >f 0 ! tl )i m WK) ni nib-els of tht w (in Uns dietncL and said L i { i k 11 not lo ou"lbU.pptwJ |i\ l(i Ul 113 Ori ( pJ CO \1 il' id ilinsr \n( it tn.'*u j tiL di\ vi tn< oi th<* )j v ( » Lite I tpi! Ca.pt.aJi j [ 1 .ii L o1 ik b^ioes o£ i 1 1/] 1 d li< Ii (iM koup Urn. > d 1 i n ( \pp'i 1 '^° h"" 1 v t i \ ** jci 11 •1 J > 'A., bolow Onpt;u'a !-i.ai.°-ey .would bo Jjoksting hi»s own flag ;ii.i<j his namo ;ukk;d_ to the glori'jus iiiuiu-.frt. bn:inl of British Admii^lfj, . (Mn»;;USl'-) • ■ ■■

' Tiu> 'si^jox tii'Hi hsL-odufH'tl Mrs. 11. J I', Srtaiu.Htn t,_Minu<j,a Wiriluuia) bo Capu:in iiii.iw-.'v, ;uxu--read tho following ;n-i;in 1 w : "Cajvtnin iLra^oy, clttcors and men of tt.'M.b. Nejv /'.(•;.lafd, 1 extend it hearty \.-Moor.i.". U> you. ! Joci great pleasim- in uioobing Cup tain 'Halticy, Vwiio did1 such ■ gioruiii*; work with hie blue jji'.'kets dui'iiig'tho recent SouthAr'rici'm campaign, and. i deem it a great honour iud<vd t*> iiu^fc two sons of tho uouiliby 0; .England, in the yerfious of U'.S.H. Prim-<* (Joorge of Battcuburg and I'ho llhrM.b j:;.on. tho Earl of Caviisiv-. 'i'ki.3 is nor, a new epoch in my. liiV, I u;;xy ineutioii that my great-groat-grjuidfathor, Te itauparaha (cominoidy cal'ed lh<- AapoLeou^of JNcw Zealand) v.i c»-Ojvr;vtion ivith his nephew ''.Rimgihaoca, couducted the fninftns ov.'.nt' in i.\w history of Nc\\ Zealand viz., tlu» Wairau Massacre. Tamihana-te-llaup-ar:ih;v took a trip to the Old Country and on his arrival had the distinguwiiod honour of being introduoed to u-.r lato ro\ered Queen Yiotoria. S:i'.er iiraniL-Mi, our present King George V. by tho Grace of God, paid a visit to our cutinlry, and when ho wiiS at our world-famous hot springs- at Itotcrua, my uncle" Kipa-te-Whatanui, al«o had tho great honour 01 being introduced to him. When you visited Wellington, my father's sistet Heni-te-llei (Mrs Ray), my cousin Hira Parata, and Tt- Heu lieu, a relative had tho p.easuro of. being introduced to you. Probably, you have heard of a chief, -by namo 'ie Ifahi. Ho visiteu Mngiand years and years ago. On his arrival in that wonderful country which has given birth to so many great Kings he had tho great honour and pleasure of being introduced to his Majesty King Goorgo IV. It may interest you to know that I am a direct descendant of that chief as is also my cousin Taku Kopata, to wih-om you have been introduced. Let me once moro express to [ you, or at least let mo try to, as my gratiiicatiou in- too deep i'or expression, my pleasure in mooting you, and, in conclusion may 1, as the daughter of a long Jine of warrior chiefs, wish you a glorious time. And if the day comes tor you to light, i hope you will prove yourselves worthy descendants of the heroes who won Trafalgar, and bo a credit to tho Mother Country and New Zealand."

Handsome native mats wero then presented by Mrs. Swainson and Mrs. Stephens (Tuku Kopata) to Captain Halsey, H.S.H. Prince George of Battenberg, and the Earl of Carlisle. The mat presented to Captain Halsey by Tuku liopata was an especially handsome one.

The Mayor .also presented to Captain Halsoy for the battleship, a mounted boar's head from tho citizens of Nelson.

Mr. K. P. Hudson, president of tho Fruitgrowers' Union, in extending Captain Halsey aud the officers and men <i cordial welcome on behalf of the fruitgrowers, regretted that their visit was not made three or four months earlier in the year so that they could have seen the orchards of tho district. One hundred cases of apples from the fruitgrowers had been placed on board, and he hoped the gift would be ap-. prociated. (Applause.)

Captain Halsoy, who was receivod witli prolonged applause, said he felt that after the orations they had heard he felt his lot was a very poor one. He thanked the people for the cordial and splendid manner in which thov -had received them, and he felt it was very hard for him to say anything at all. '"'I do thank you," said Captain Halsey, "for the reception you have given us to-day,, and for the reception you are going to give us during tho day. No matter in New Zealand where we go," continued Captain Halsoy, "whether to big places or small places, or no places at ali (laughter) we get the same warm and whole-hearted welcome." Since April 12fch the_ Now Zealand had nearly circumnavigated the South Mijnd of New Zealand, and the warmth of their welcome in this Dominion could not bo exceeded by any other place in tho Empire. In Nolson, said Captain Halsey, you have many naval traditions. Every street and square is named after some naval hero, and Captain Halsey mentioned Bronti, Collingwood, Hardy streets and other places-.' When one lived in a town with all these names the question naturally presented" itself: why are these stracts named after these nayal'heroos? ':f think it is a splendid idea," said Captain Halsey, "that young peop-e should bo brought up in an atmosphere of naval traditions and therefore Imperial traditions." Having related an incident in tho battle of Trafalgar which showed the cordial relationship that existed between Nelson and Collingwood. Captain Halsey spoke in regard to the present course of the New Zealand. In South Africa the British and Dutch vied with, each other in giving them a welcomo, and they- sent a message to Now Zealand saying how splendid they thought it was to soo the gift, because, said Captain Halsey. with apologies to Mr. Atmore, it was a gift which was a lesson to the other nations of tho world. In Australia they had been cordially welcomed, and in Canada from the letters he had received, he thought their welcomo would bo none the less cordial than it had been in other parts of tho Empire. As a naval j officer he did not expre&s any opinion ion what was the right or what was the wrong naval policy for the Dominions, but it always gave him great pleasure to hear what other people had to say on this subject. He was suro whatever naval policy was followed it 'would have nothing to do with party. (Applause.) Ho had not the slightest doubt there had been no party feenng in regard to the Dreadnought. Sir Joseph Ward was in power when the spontaneous gift was made, and ratified by Parliament, and now with a different Government in power, they wero beinjs cordially received, and everything that was possible was being done for them. There was one thing he wag entitled to say, and that was that wherever there may be a fleet of tho enemy, the fleet of the Empire muet be in such numbers that there must not ben shadow of doubt aB to the ultimate insult of an action should there be one. Tho Admiralty said Captain Halsey, were always ready great Dominions conceived to bo right, and the Admiralty would continue to help the Dominions. They recognised that every Dominion could not b© the same, and that , there were different ideas in different countries. As the Dominions increased in population so they would increase in wealthy and in like proportion they would increase their.'help to the Mother^ Country in to 'support any naval policy that the the burden they must, as an Empire, bear so long as wars may com©. (Applause.) Captain Balsey said he knew the people of New Zealand put" implicit j •faith in the Navy of the^ Empire, and especially, he knew now, in the officers and men who manned the ship which was named after the Dominion. He conld only say on behalf of the officers and men, that ep long as they served

<m i'lu b'ij tho pit, 1 ' * 111 [ LiUbt tv v v (o tneir ucui' > t u> i, ' ixl t'io n< v v it t'u. IQmpjje, Ann th I pui ijn 1t)10 1\ c the- J i fc it io 11pi o I ( Vpl 11 ) On +_^c Q li J K-tu tie " 1 v n )i t> t ' Foil C«o \ <11 1 Lonou '1 l-i j ' rid the I^ol 1"m ~ O-) j i(! ' h c 01 th< rhy it into ' ho llk t motive luiui x choigi1 I>f t) t 1 i c fjooi > 1 n11 d tn« i Zealand and-the Empire. (Applause.,l Oapt'tin Hfslsoy. concluded hi« speech by reciting Mitcaulay.'s'woll known lines: — '■j?'or, how can man dio btt-tor. j Than by facing fearful odd-o, >'\>r the -aslu's'.of hh lattars. And the temples of his Gods?" j Captain Halsey then thanked tho citizens of Nelson lor tho gift of the. mounted boar's head, wiliich ho said ■ould bo handed down to tho'next ves-soi-bearing the name of tho .Dominion; the Maori ladies for their splendid gilts of p.iiits, etc.; to the i'iuiv,gro\vers of the district for tiieir gift of fruit, which would be much appreciated- by the officers and men; au<f to Mr. Jellyman, yf Stoke, for a magni)k\Mit pumpkin iveighing 1001b. (Applauh-a.) Three cheers ior Captain Halsay and the officers concluded the proceedings.