THE BATTLE-CRUISER.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1740, 3 May 1913, Page 6

THE BATTLE-CRUISER.

9 LOYAL MAORI MEN. THE ADDRESS OF THE CHIEFS, (By Telegraph.—Bpeoiol Oorrcanondent.) Auckland, May 2. Crowds paraded the city last evening to see the illuminations on the battleship, a very large number gathering at tho end of Queen Street wharf. Tho ingenious scheme of illumination of the North ShOTO and Mount Victoria also attracted much attention. Tho blazo of light's on the ferry buildings and at tho entrance to the wharf, and tho canopy of flag.'; at the Post Office, with tho moving crowds of people, mado the lower ond of Queen Street particularly Ray. To-morrow evening displays will bo made by the eight twin fccarch lights of tho ship. The Town llall presents a lino picture at night, tho whole outline of the splendid. building, including the tower, being picked out in electi'io lights, while the ferry building has three of its sides a blaze of lights, from iho pavement to the weather vane. The battleship was a glorious sight last night, every detail of tho vessel, hull, masts, funnels, and gun turrets being Outlined in electro ligh f s, and tho sight was observable from all parte of the marine suburbs ond from tho higher portions of the city. Tho a<Mress from tho Maori' chiefs to Captain Halsey is as follows:—"Welcome, Contain Halsey, officers, and men of H.M.S. New Zealand! We welcome those who represent tho greatness, tho might, and tho power of the British Empire. You liavo como from across tho great 6eas (Moananui a Kiwa), in your great war canoe, which is tho envy and fear of your cnemios, and our enemies. You havenow arrived at Ootearoa- and To Waipou namu. This is tho bow of our canoe Aotearoa. This is Tamakimakaurau, This is iiho ehoro and land whero our ancestors havo settled for ages, and whoro Queen Victoria and her Governors have stood for our protection up to this time. Weloome to Auckland, which is inhabited by people of both races, European and Maori, under the Treaty of Waitangi. Welcome to tho place of sunshine and happiness, tho place inhere all people find law, order, authority, and peace. W elcomo to New Zealand, where you have come at King George's command. We are full of excitement and joy at seeing you on your arrival here at these islands. Wolcomol It has been a great journey, the track of which has been opened by tho navigators of the British Empire. Welcome, to 6eo your Maori people in t'heir happiness and in their troubles in these islands. Welcome to tho battleship which was given to the King by the Government of New Zealand, in tho name of both pakeha and Maori, in order to support the British Empire and to defend both races against their enemies. The arrival of our battleship on these shores will be a memory and everlasting remembrance to us and our generations to como. All the male and female chiefs_ of the inhabitants of both races of New Zealand, together with the children who have assembled hero now, welcome you all with gladness in tlitir _ hearts. The whole source of our peace is the Treaty of Waitangi, and tho strength of the British Navv. Let both live and bo strong. Welcome! Welcome! May God blees all of us, pakeha and Maori!" the entertainments; TRUE STOET OF MAOEI HITCH. (By Telegraph.—Frese Association.) Auckland, May 2. A further batch of men froiu H.M.S. New Zealand wero entertained at luncheon to-day by the City Council. The officers were tendered a smoke concert to-night by tho Garrison Officers' Club. The officers were also made ty(e recipients of private hospitality. Though the weather was unpleasant hundreds of members of tho Empire Veterans' Association visited the ship to-day besides numerous school children. A big sports meeting is to be held at tho Domain to-morrow. In proposing the toast of "H.M.S. New Zealand" at the luncheon to the men, Mr. W. A. Beddoe, Canadian Trado Commissioner, said that Canada was doing something to help the nation. There was a little difficulty just now concerning the question whether vessels should be mult in Great Britain or in Canada, but there were no two opinions about the principle of holding the Empire together. The sug. gestion that Canada should give three Dreadnoughts was merely consistent with the size and importance of the Dominion which, in nrea, equalled one-third of tho whole Empire. New Zealand had [riven a great deal when she gavo a. battleship. Though small in urea Now Zealand was large in generosity. Tho Mayor, in referring to the complaint by the Maoris who were unnblo to present an address to Captain Halsey owing to want of time, said "Hearing that Mr. Kailiau was organising an address of welcome from Maoris, I wrote and nl?o sent a message to him asking him to call on mo at the Town Hall. He did not do so, but after the civic festivities of Tuesday, ho sent his clerk to mo and the latter requested mo, if possible, to arrange with Captain Halsey to givo the Maoris some time between 9 a.m. and 12 noon on May 1. I accordingly communicated with Captain Halsey who was good •enough to fix the hour at 9.80 o'clock on Thursday lo see Mr. Kailiau and the othor Maoris. Captain Halsey intimated that he could give half an hour to tho address after which lie would have to leave to keep an appointment. The Town Clerk at once communicated to the Maoris Captain Halsey's decision, and I understood from him that they were perfectly satisfied. Instead, however, of keeping tho appointment, not one Maori went on board but, at. 9.55, Mr. Kailiau rang up to say that tho arrangements did not suit him at all. I accordingly said the Mayor could do no more than I havo done."