CHAUTAUQUA

Hokitika Guardian, 23 March 1922, Page 1

CHAUTAUQUA

THE SECOND DAY

There was a good attendance at the afternoon session of Chautauqua yesterday, followed by a full house at the evening session. The McKenzie Concert Company supplied the musical portion of the programme. Mr Warwick McKenzie, violinist, was at the head of this musical trio. He is an Australian, hut has European and American experiences. Mr McKenzie played several classical numbers with marked brilliancy, and received very hearty approbation at the hands of the pleased audience. Miss McKenzio at the piano, added to the pleasures of the evening, and the lady vocalist received a triple recall. Owing to Dr Loveland’s absence. Mr H. St Ledger of Queensland, was the lecturer. Tn the afternoon he spoke about White Australia, and in the evening of The Destiny of Australia and New Zealand. Mr St Ledger, an elderly gentleman with considerable vigor, spoke at great length on the White Australia theme. He said that Ausralia and New Zealand were the only two countries on the globe now left entirely for the white man. He pleaded for unity and co-operation to keep them so. He asked that all sectarian differences now dividing the jieople be dropped and united action taken t 6 keep the countries white. Traversing recent History he referred to the genesis of the war, and the need for an ample defence. He spoke of the year 1009 when the Opposition in the House of Commons drew attention to the growth of the German naval power, and the need to meet it. The disclosures at the time led New Zealand to give a. Dreadnought to Britain. and offer a second if need he. Australia set about forming a navy of its own, hut a Ministry had to be displaced before this was possible. The lecturer might have added that New Zealand displaced its Ministry of those days, one of the chief complaints being the unauhorised gift of the dreadnought! The Australian Navy was ready in 1913, not a moment too soon for the Great War which broke the following year. The lecturer referred to the -Sydney’s exploit in hammering the Emden .but omitted to mention the. New Zealand’s busy part in the war period. The menace to Australia and New 'Zealand was considered to be the weakness of the naval defence in the Pacific. The late Washington Conference had resulted in Great Britain surrendering her naval supremacy after all jthevse years, and ranging oh a level with the United States. Britain would not be strong enough on the seas now to combat a fusion of naval forces in Europe, and if occupied in war in, that region, would leave the Pacific unguarded. It .was for Australia and New Zealand to police the Pacific, where Japan bad a superior naval force. Tn India, China, and Japan there were millions of colored people huddled together in congested areas who would by force of circumstances be seeking a land to live in. Australia, was near-by and it was for Australia to prepare for such an invasion. Only six million people occupied Australia, and more than half the number were in the six Metropolitan cities. Australia- was a land of empty spaces and had to be filled bv white people. Immigration must go on. They must draw on their kith and kin in the home lands, irrespective of what extreme Labor said, and people the unused places. So with New Zealand, this grand country would carry a. population four or five times more numerous than the present numbers. Here, too, they must realise the menace if they lacked population, and their proper destiny was to keep it a white man’s country. Mr St Ledger, in •concluding his address, paid special attention to the potentialities of New Zealand. He praised the scenic glories of Westland in particular. Spoke of the hydroelectric power running to waste in the country, and the enormous impetus which could be given to industry were the power harnessed. He stressed the fact that this was a first-class country, and they should send first-class men to Parliament to help to solve the problems of the Dominion. Reals had written some beautiful lines which applied pointedly to this fair land—this God’s Own Country-, as their Tate Premier Seddon had called it. He spoke of one beauty after another, succeeding in the scenic panorama,. “On the heels another great perfection treads,” and “A thing of beauty is a joy for ever.” They had a glorious heritage in this fine country, and their every effort should be directed to keep it always so, the white man’s greatest heritage on the face of the earth. The singing of the National Anthem closed a very spirited address, which had been followed most attentively.

TO-NIGHT

Chautauqua again drew a large audience this afternoon. To-night, the Winifred Winders Trio which made such a good impression this afternoon will provide the entertainment. The trio is headed by Miss Winders, a most capable actress, who does most original work in a delightful way. There is Mr J. Alexander Browne in support with a rich bantone voice, and a brilliant solo pianist, and accompanist in Mr Guy Marnner. The subject of the lecture to-night is: “The Lighter side of Reconstruction. It is by Colonel John Leader who saw service with the British Army during a; period of 23 years. Patrons tonight should have a most enjoyable and instructive evening.