The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 1908. FLEET WEEK.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2261, 5 August 1908, Page 2

The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 1908. FLEET WEEK.

Until it is over comparatively few ■people will realise the importance of the occasion in which Auckland is to take a loading part during the whole of next week. From a purely spectacular point of view tho opportunity is ono that few porsons are likely to find repeated in their lifotime, for it is by no means a common occurrence, even ill tho Old World, for a full fleet to bo .gathered together under circumstances which permit their inspection by a largo mass of people. Certainly -Pacific waters have never seen anything approaching the sight which will- -he witnessed in Waitemata Harbor next week, and in all human probability another quarter of a century wi-ll not see a similar demonstration. To those New Zealanders who are fortunate enough to bo present, the 6cenc when tho United States fleet, ploughing its way across the ocean first comes in sight, followed subsequently by tho firing of the salutes, will come as a revelation as to what constitutes sea power, and what the torm naval strength really amounts to. -No one who is present can fail to bo profoundly affected by tho whole circumstances which even upon the most unimpressionable will leave an impress that will probably remain as a life-long memory. Then again, tliero is the opportunity of meeting and associating with large numbers of Americans and foreigners of other nations who comprise the human'"equipment of Undo Sam's fleet. Isolated as we. are in New Zealand, only those who have been born in other -lands and those who have travelled can appreciate the breadth of vision that is necessary to all who wish to really understand just where we Now Zealanders 6tand in the estimation of those in other parts of the world. In other words, it is beneficial “to see oursel’ as ithers 6ee us,” and hero again the opportunity of coming into contact with a human atmosphere entirely at variance with our own is ono of great interest and undoubted value. From all accounts Aucklanders have risen to tho occasion, handsomely, and nothing has been left undone on their part to enable tho fleet, as well as all visitors, to -bo entertained with the hospitality that the occasion tfeinands. The Government, too, lias for once dono its share thoroughly and well to ensure that tho Dominion’s recognition of the great honor proffered by tho United States Government shall be mot in a manner worthy of New Zealand. Fleet Week promises to be, indeed, ono of the most notable occasions that have occurred in the Dominion for many years, and tho surprise is that its importance lias not been realised by the. public as a whole. Had it been, the .steamship companies would have found it exceedingly difficult to cope with the demand for accommodation.