WELLINGTON NOTES

Hokitika Guardian, 8 February 1924, Page 1

WELLINGTON NOTES

tiil .iabanlse visitors

loyal and faithful allies

[Special To The Guardian.]

WELLINGTON, February 6

Tne most impressive speech at the luncheon in PaiLament House yesterday in honour of Vice-Admiral Saito and other officers.of the Japanese warships now in Wellington was the one delivered by the Vice-Admiral himself, tin alert, observant, courteous gentleman who looks the part he has played so gallantly and so tactfully in the service of his country. The Prime -Minister's speech, was bluff and hearty, overdlowiug with appreciation of the Japanese as faithful friends and allies and a- a great and progressive people; but it lacked the light and shade and Lite humour and pathos, happily blendel the Viee-Adniital imparted to his words. The distinguished visitor spoke of the resemblance between New Zealand and Japan, of their converging dot titties, of their common aspirations and of their mutual interest,s. His allusion to Lord Jellieoe. who was sitting at his right bund t’s the Togo of Japan, mi- a delightful touch and his reference to the “high honour” of escorting such great soldiers as the New Zealanders to the front a charming acknowledgment of a pretty compliment paid by Mr AfuiSsoy to Japan’s services to the Dominion during the war. Neither in speech nor in courtesy were the guests outdone hv their hosts. All! SPEAKER.

Mr B. F. Bollard, the Minister of Internal Affairs speaking last week at a muliering in connection with the Ilorowhonun A. and P. Society’s annual

show pronounced a eulogy upon Air E. ('. Stnthnm, the Youthful looking Speaker of the House ol Hefts, which is entitled to more publicity than il lias yet obtained from a bare mention in the local paper. “I found Air Stntknni to be oste of the whitest men 1 bat! ever met.” the Alinisler said, retelling to bis own entry into the House.

“As a member of Parliament lie showed himself t,, lie. a young man with convictions, with some of which we could i.et all agree, but his honesty of purI use could not lie doubted. As Speak-

~f the House of Heproxonlalivos, Air Stitt ham lias carried out the important duties of Itioffice with great fairness aml diM in-lion. lie is strict, has a •wonderful vein of the procedure-no

member of the House would care to i|Ueslion bis ruling and withal he lias a dignified simplicity of manner which helps a lot in difficult times in the House. Why. he has pulled up the Biiint' Alinisler in debate more than niiec” This lal illustration of the Speaker's impartiality tickled the fancy of the audience ininn'ieelv and it laughed heartily. I. ABO I'll AT lIO.ME. \ imminent Wellington business man who left London on bis return journey ■ o td'e Dominion a week or so at lei I be- recent general elect ion a! Home, confessed to-day that lie welcomed the advent of the Labour Party to office with very considerable satisfaction, lie i- a strong and very earnest Imperialist and lias no sympathy with extreme Socialistic views and aspiration:—no more be milled pareiilhet ieally. than Mr K.oni•n\ AL: T)omdd and hi-, inlleagiies have lon in- believes Hint the old parties lu.tl. stand sadly in need of a term of retirement in which they may revise their point of view and repair the divisions in their own rank.-. Tor.'ism. he declines, is now definitely dead an-i Wl.iggisni is rapidly dying; but neithei ‘.he Liberals mu the Conserval ivc-s are vet progressive enough to lead the Old Country out of the wilderness of uiitvx( and dissatisfaction in which it has been wandering since Hie .conclusion of Hie war. Tin- leolul service they .still may render to the Empire, according in this authority, is to keep the Laiii>ui Govcininont. from exceeding the bounds of prudence and safety. ’I his. no says, they can do by the exen-i.se of rea.-onnbie tact ami forbearance and so restore the Mother Country to a state of industrial peace, it has not known for many years past. ,\H<MBTSIIOP HI'.DAYOOD. The.celebration of the episcopal golden jubilee of Archbishop Bcdwood has tt roused great: interest, not merely among the members ol bis own church, bei every hit as much among the members of other chinches. The Archbishop is a national institution. “lie was brought to this country,” “The Dominion'' reminds its readers this morning, “almost in the dawn nt early settlement. In his own person a link with I lie days of the pioneers, bis career is tint-, rich in historical associations which provide, him with a copious fund of anecdote and reminiscence. Endowed as lie is, with an excellent memory and line powet.s of expression. Archbishop Redwood is decidedly one of the most inteii-sl.iiig figures of our day ainl generation. His episcopal record also t- noteworthy. Not only is it lilty vears since be became Homan Catholic Bishop of Wellington, hut he is the first Archbishop appointed in New Zealand. On 'the eve of celebrating bis gulden jubilee be has now received a Papal honour giving him a rank only one step below that of Cardinal.” Warm good wishes will go out to the venerable prelate from all quarters of the Dominion and from every section of the community.