DUTCH SQUADRON’S VISIT

Taranaki Daily News, 18 October 1930, Page 9

DUTCH SQUADRON’S VISIT

WARM WELCOME EXTENDED

OLD ASSOCIATIONS RECALLED.

STATE LUNCHEON TO VISITORS.

By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. Oh a courtesy visit which recalls many historical associations connected with Australia and New Zealand and the intervening Tasman Sea, the East Indies squadron of the Royal Netherlands Navy, comprising the light cruiser Java and two destroyers, the. De Kuyter and the Everteen, steamed into Wellington harbour about 8 o clock tiis morning. In accordance with the traditions governing naval visits the Java, the flagship of Rear-Admiral Kaysei, hoisted the Union Jack, while the National Anthem was played by the ships band and a Royal salute of 21 guns was fired as a complimentary gesture hom Holland to New Zealand. A reply was fired from Fort Dorset, over which the Netherlands flag whs flying. . Promptly at 9 o’clock the Java, with the tug Terawhiti in attendance, pulled into the southern side of Pipitea wharf, followed a few minutes, later by the destroyers, which berthed, end to end at the adjoining northern side of King’s wharf. The. arrival of. the ships attracted considerable interest from the public and the wharves were lined with several hundreds of onlookers while moorint operations were in progress. The squadron had already. visited. Australian ports and left Sydney foi Wellingtpn on Friday. . \ ! T first of . the official visitors to the flagship was the. Netherlands coilsul, Mr. W. G. Johnston, who was accompanied by his secretary, Mr. A. J. Fernie. A guard of honour was drawn up on the deck and the visitors were escorted* by Captain De Graaf to the commander’s quarters on the quarterdeck. Commodore Geoffrey Blake, Commodore of the- New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy, boarded the Java at 10 o’clock and was met by Rear-Ad-miral Kayser. The- officers later inspected the' two destroyers. Rear-Ad-miral Kayser then called on the Gov-ernor-General, Lord Bledisloe, and the acting-Prime Minister, the Hon. E. A. Ransom.

OFFICIAL CALLS EXCHANGED.

A salute of 13 guns was fired from Fort Dorset when the admiral left his ship, shortly after 11 o’clock. Admiral Kayser-'arrived back at th© ship and received on board the General Officer Commanding the New ; Zealand Forces, Major-General Young. Calls were then made by the chairman of the Harbour Board (Mr. J. W. McEwan) and the Mayor (Mr. G. A. Troup). At 12.15 the Governor-General returned the admiral’s visit and the acting-Prime Minister made a return visit at 12.35 p.m. A State luncheon was accorded the admiral and eight officers at Parliament House at 1 o’clock and during the afternoon’ Admiral Kayser returned the visits of Commodore Blake on H.ALS. Dunedin, of Major-General Young at defence headquarters, of the Mayor at the Town Hall, and the chairman of the Harbour Board. Later he received courtesy calls from various clubs and societies.

The guests received a cordial welcome at Parliament House, being greeted by the dcting-'Priine Minister. A State luncheon to the senior officers was set in the old Legislative Council chamber. The long tables were draped with the' New Zealand and Dutch .flags. Upon the walls hung portraits of early legislators, together with native mats and implements of warfare. Seated on the right of the acting-Prime Minister was Admiral Kayser. On his-left was the Chief Justice, Sir Michael Myers, and other guests included the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Sir Charles Statham, the Speaker of the Legislative Council, Sir Walter Carncross, the acting-Loader of the Legislative Council, the ' Hon. R, Masters, members of Cabinet and of the Upper House, the Leader of the Opposition, the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, members of Parliament, members of the consular corps, the Mayor of Wellington and chairman of’the Harbour Board.

ABEL TASMAN’S DISCOVERY.

In extending a welcome to the guests after the toast of the King and of the Queen of the Netherlands had been honoured, Air. Ransom . recalled that the land being 'visited for the first time by a Dutch squadron had been discovered by a Dutchman, Abel 'Tasman, several hundred years ago. It was fully recognised that it was through the enterprise and seamanship of the Dutch navigators that the discovery was made. All their courage and initiative in negotiating uncharted seas was fully appreciated, and New Zealanders who had inherited the new land owed a debt of gratitude to those who had blazed the trail. Air. Ransom said New Zealand had a bond of kinship with the East Indies, where the Dutch had settled, especiaL ly since they had given hospitality to British aviators who had been forced to seek assistance there. It was regrettable -that the Prime was not able to welcome the visitors owing to his absence from the country on Imperial business, but on his behalf Air. Ransom said lie wished to extend to the country’s guests a welcome befitting the friendship that existed between the- two countries.

Rear-Admiral Kayser expressed his appreciation Of the warm welcome extended to him and to his officers and men upon their arrival. Holland was close to the shores of England and had much in common with her. Relations between Great Britain and the Dutch republic and kingdom had been of the best for centuries, in spite of the fact that they had quarrelled “as neighbours would.” Both Great Britain and Holland traded together in Europe and there was no reason why Britain’s colony in the South Seas and the colonies of the Netherlands in the East Indies shqtild not trade more to their mutual advantage. (Hear! hear!) Holland produced much, in its tropical colonies which New Zealand could buy, and the East Indies would be pleased to accept more of New Zealand’s butter, meat, cheese arid fruit.

An interesting gathering was concluded by the visiting officers drinking the toast of their hosts and the continued friendship of the two countries.