VISITING POLITICIANS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1839, 27 August 1913, Page 5

VISITING POLITICIANS.

CIVIC RECEPTION.

THE WELCOME AT AUCKLAND,

(By T«l«ira.Dh.—Preea Association.) Auckland, August 26. A civic reception was accorded tho members of tho Empire Parliamentary Association ■ this morning at the Town Hall. There was a largo gathering of representative citizens present, and representing the' Government were the Hon. H. D. Bell and Mr. B. M. Wilson. Wclcome by the Mayor. The Mayor (Mr. 0. J. Parr), in welcoming till© visitors, said he felt sure that ho was voicing tho feelings of t;he population of Auckland when he said that they felt honoured at tho presence of such a distinguished company of Englishmen and Englishwomen. He believed that such a tour as the party was now undertaking would bo not only beneficial to themselves, but to the countries they visited. They would be able to go Home again ajid tell the truth about Zealand. It was to bo regretted that their stay in New Zealand was to be suoli a short one.. Binding tha Empire Together. • Tho Hon. H. D. Bell, Minister for Internal Affairs, welcomed tho visitors on behalf of tho Parliament of New Zealand. 'llio visit, ho hoped, was but the forerunner of other visits of a similar kind, and he believed they would tend to an increase of the mutual knowledge which was so essential in, binding the Empire together. Such visits would help to convince the law makers of the linperial Parliament that-the laws made by the self-goi'erning dominions were not passed with, the idea of antagonism to tho welfare of the Empire. As a whole, Now Zealand's representatives on every oocasion upon which they had visited the Old Country had been treated by the Motherland wit-'i unlimited hospitality, and so far as lay in their power they wanted to show the same feeling which actuated the British Parliament actuated the legislators of New Zealand to-day.

Mr. A. M. Myers, M.P., one of tho officers of the New Zealand branch of the association, joined in the expressions of welcome which had been extended to the visitors. He reminded them ■ that ait/hough Now Zealand was a very voung country, it had not played altogeth ;r an insignificant part in the history "jf the Empire. They realised that the time had come to think Imperially on the problems of the Old Land, as well as of those of the overseas dominions. There was the problem of the greater federation of the British Empire, and ho felt •that it was only by travel and by cultivation of a wider outlook that they would settle satisfactorily this question. He hoped this would be tho first oi many similar visits; Reply by Lord Emmott. Lord Emmott, who was enthusiastically received, expressed keen appreciation of tho welcome accorded' the party. He explained that t'iie trip was really being made at tho invitation of the Australian branch of tho association, but they .were looking forward with immense interest to tho few days they were to spend in New Zealand. He also wished to acknowledge the kindness of tho Government, and to say how much they appreciated the hearty welcome convoj-ed .to them in the letter that they had just received fromthe Governor. They had received a magnificent reception in Canada, and no sooner had they arrived in Auckland than they found welcoming hands ex-, tended to them. It was his first visit to New Zealand as Under-Secretary of State for tho colonies. It was going to bo a visit of great interest and importance »to him.. Ho went on to say that at Homo ho had frequently heard of the attractions the country and its peoplo had to offer, and ho had always desired to mako the trip to theso lands. Oil the very last night before leaving London ho had met the late Governor of New Zealand (Lord Islington), who had asked him to bring out a message. To .quote Lord Islington's own words, they were: "I hear you aro going to New Zealand. Ido want to ask you to gtVe flicm my love." (Applause.) New Zealand's Loyalty. Lord Emmott went on to say that he thought there was a peculiar sympathy between tho peoplo of, Great Britain and the people of New Zealand. They wero 'immensely pro'ud of the greater Dominions, but between Great Britain and Now Zealand there appeared to be some geographical similarity. There

were in each two islands of what might be called manageable size. He did not think, however, that Now Zealand got all the thrills from her second island that they got from (Laughter.) New Zealand had always been conspicuous in it 3 loyalty to the Empire. They had embarked upon this tour hopeful of increasing the mutual knowledge which would enable them to deal with tho great Imperial problems that must ultimately be settled. Their hearts responded when previous speakers referred to tho great traditions of tho British race. It was a pride they shared in common. Problems ahead could not be

hurried to a solution, but it was posthorn to cultivate a right frame of' mind in which to approach these •questions. He believed that they would long coutinuo to maintain the British Empire as the greatest, most enlightened, and most progressive Empire in tho world. (Applause.) Lord Sheffield was the next speaker. He. said he had loi\g desired to visit New Zealand to see its beauties for himself, and ho was sure from his first glimpse that ho_ would not. bo disappointed. In New Zealand, lie continued, they-had the pick of the original races in the Pacific. British settlers had had severe tussles witli them in the early days, but that had only served;to convince the white man of the worth of tho Native race. He thought it was to tho everlasting credit of tho British people in New Zealand that they had recognised thoso qualities, and had helped tho Maori, elevated him to the Legislature, and treated him as an equal. Lord Sheffield concluded by saying that he believed New Zealand, as a country, would develop 011 Empire lines, ' always maintaining just principles of freedom, law, and order. (Loud applause;)

In response to a question from thoso assembled, Mr. Crooks was called upon by the.Mayor to say a.few words. The member for "Woolwich received a great reception. Ho said the previous visit

lie paid to New Zealand had been such a happy one that ho could not resist tlio invitation when it canic to join'in tlio present tour. The hopes and troubles of tlio colonies were the samo as thoso of tlio Homeland. Britishers wero a peace-loving race, but. if there was any trouble going tlie.v had to bo in it. The reception concluded with cheers for. tho members of the party.