EMDEN AT WELLINGTON

Taranaki Daily News, 9 July 1929, Page 11

EMDEN AT WELLINGTON

PROMOTING OF WORLD PEACE GERMAN OFFICERS ENTERTAINED. GOVERNMENT LUNCHEON GIVEN. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. A Government luncheon was lield at Parliament House to-day in honour of the visit of the German cruiser Emden. The captain of the Emden (Captain Lothar von Afnauld de la Periere) was accompanied .by eight of the officers and staff. The Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Sir Joseph Ward, presided, and members of Cabinet, Parliamentary parties, Government departments and other representatives were present. The first toasts honoured were “The King” and “The President of the Republic of Germany.” Proposing the toast of “Our Guests,” Sir Joseph said the Emden was the first German warship to visit these waters since the war. He hoped.their welcome would have proved the people of New Zealand, no less than the people of the Old Country and other civilised communities throughout the world, w’ere anxious to recognise the bonds of common humanity and to endeavour in co-operation with their fellow men to build a better and safer world for the generations to come. “We who are sitting here to-day, citizens of the German Republic and New Zealanders, who 11 years ago were at war with one another,” Sir Joseph continued, “are now representatives of States, members of the League of Nations, and signatories of a pact for the renunciation of war. Side by side,, we together with other nations of the world are making a united, honest and sincere attempt to solve the problems of international peace and security and to make a repetition of the disaster of 1914 an impossibility.” Responding to tlio toast, Captain de la Periere expressed sincerest thanks on behalf of his country and fellow officers. They would never forget their stay in this wonderful country. He hoped the present visit would help to create good feelings 'between the two countries. Captain de la Periere concluded Dy asking his fellow officers to join with him in rising and drinking the toast of “The Primo Minister and Government of New Zealand, and prosperity to this fair Dominion.”