ENGLISH-SPEAKING UNION

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 117, 15 February 1928, Page 5

ENGLISH-SPEAKING UNION

AUSTRALIAN VISITORS ENTERTAINED There was quite a large gathering of members at the English Speaking Union luncheon yesterday, when the Hon. T. R.' Bavin, Premier of New' South Wales, and bis daughter and Aliss de Chair, daughter of Hie Governor of New South Wales, were the guests, of honour. The president, Sir Frederick Chapman, was in the chair, Lady Chapman being also present. 'Hie two young ladies were presented with little posies. Mr. Bavin had stipulated that he should not have to make a speech, and Sir Frederick Chapman, in welcoming him, said lie would invite him to show how lie avoided doing so.

In welcoming Mr. Bavin the chairman said it was as a New Zealander born and an Australian also that he was welcome. The English Speaking Union existed to cement ties of friendship between al) English speaking people, and New Zealand, the most isolated of any white country, was always glad to greet anv friends from other countries. This country had close associations with New South Wales, for New Zealand was first constituted a part of that colony, and only later created a separate Government. He himself remembered an aunt who had spoken to Captain Phillips, who came out iu command of the first settlement at Botany Bay, and in that time Sydney bad grown to be a city of over a million people. Air. Bavin, in replying, said that as a politician he could not merely say thank you and sit down, although that only was what he had intended. Whether as a New Zealander or an Australian, he could only, say that lie had had a royal welcome everywhere, and had met many old-friends and associates. In fact, lie had felt quite patriarchal sometimes in renewing old associations. He had looked at the register of his form_ at Wellington College and was glad to find he had held his own with men who were now in the forefront of affairs in New Zealand. He had found iu New Zealand that there were the same problems, the same ideals as in Australia. Both countries wished to uphold the British Constitution and ideals, and he felt that each could benefit by what the other had done. He felt that .all could do more to make themselves familiar with tlie problems of tlie Empire, as a great deal with being done now to diffuse such knowledge.

After Air. Bavin had spoken Aliss de Chair returned thanks for the welcome extended to her. She had had a delightful time and wanted to come back quite soon. Alusical items were given by Air. Trevor Fisher (pianoforte solo), Aliss Marjorie Bennie (song), and Aliss Dora Reid (violin solo). Afterwards those present had an opportunity of meeting the guests of honour. Aliss de Chair was wearing a jumper suit of soft green crepe de chine and a green hat, and Aliss Bavin a black and white patterned silk, with wide-brimmed hat. Among those present were Mrs. K. Preston and Aliss Preston, Airs. G. Davidson, Airs. Bennie, Air. and Mrs. Ardell, Airs. Alaguus, Airs. S. Brown, Mrs. C. Chapman, Dr. Alorice, Air. and Mrs. Sievwright, Airs. Keddell, Airs. Duncan, Airs. Garland, and Airs. A. H. Waters. Apologies were received from Air. and Airs. A. L. Hunt, the Alayor and Alayoress, Bishop and Airs. Sprott, and others.