JOINT TRUSTEES FOR HAPPINESS

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 69, 8 April 1937, Page 14

JOINT TRUSTEES FOR HAPPINESS

—Press Assoei&tion.)

Anstralia and New Zealand's Duty in Pacific JiAVAL MEN WELCOMED

IBt T«l«irraoh

WELLINGTON, Last Night. A warm welcome to the officers and men of the Royal Australian Navy was extended by the Hon. P. Fraser at a State luncheon to-day. Mr Fraser presided, and among those pregent were: Rear-Admiral Sir E. Drummond, and severn! Cabinet Ministera, . In. proposing the toast ?Our Guestsl' the actiu&-Prime Minister said he wished, on behalf of the Government And the people of New Zealand, to extend a sincere welcomie to tbe officers 'and men of the Australian Navy. To "a great extent, Australia and New Zealand were trustees. of tho intereste of the British Commonwealth of Natxone in the Pacific, and theirs was a hig responsibility. They were- not qnly the trustees of industrial and commercial interests, but also of the welfare and happiness oi tho British people of the Pacific. To-day that responsibility was. probably greater than ever hefore, but there was nd need te etress ihe aolidarity of the people* of »the British Commonwealth. IIoph Wilted In Reoent Years. The ideal to strive for, continued Mr Fraser, waa a hond of friendship and understanding among all the nations of ihe Pacific, but if that could not he achieved it was to he hoped there would he strong friendfehip hetween the British countries of the Pacific, and the TJnited States. The comhined strengths of the British countries in this part of the world — spiritual and cultural strengths as well as material— would do * great deal for the promotion of peaoe and the maintenance of democratio institutions. The hopes of civilisation had faltered and wilted considerably in reoent years," and those nations, such as New Zealand, which desired peace through such agenciea as the League of Nations, had been relucfcant^y and despondently ' f orqed to take part in a rearaagtent race. He was sure that the mep bf the. serviees felt the situatlon which, had been brought about more than 'any other section of. ■ihe 4 people, but it was ess'ential they should maintain their liberties such as freedom of expression and freedom of government. He hoped the visiting naval men would have a most enjoyabla stay in the Dominion. dustlftcatlon of Navy. la reply, Admiral Lfne-Poole paid they Jjad been overwhelmed by the hospitality of New Zealand, and did not know how to ihank the people of the Dominion for their Hhdness. He stated that he had taken part in the convoy of ihe first New Zealand troops to Europe. He complimented Wellington on its magnificent wharfage, , which had shown vision for the future. For some timo the strength of the Navy had dwindled, but there had been a-revul-sion of feeling against that policy, and perhaps the Wellington waterfront had some connection With tha new outlodk. Apart fiom the state of Europe, hawera?, it seemed that the Navy was justified, if it. were nothingj more meaas of bringlng over 2500 "dinkum Aussies" to shake hands with their New Zealand cousins, with whom a deep friendship ahready exist^d. Squadron to Vlslt N.z. Ports. To-morrow the Australian and New Zealand warships will leate Wellingit°n, "the^ Australian shipe to Continue their visits to New Zealand ports and the New Zealaiid squadron to proceed: to- the Hauraki Gulf to engage in a week'a naval exercises. H.M.A.S. Australia is to leava at 8.15 a.m. for Port Chalmers, H.M.A.S. Stuart and H.M.A.S Vendetta- going to Picton, and H.M.A.S. Waterhen to Nelson. The ,sloop Swan will sail at 10.30 a.m. for Napier and H.M.A.S. Canberra and H.M.A-S. Sydney will leave at 3 p.m for Lyttelton. '