NATIONAL ANTHEM HONOURED.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 August 1927, Page 3

NATIONAL ANTHEM HONOURED.

On a recent evening there were nine people seated in the lounge of the Waitonio Hostel, representing, six dilferent nationalities. Included in the number were a Swiss, a Frenchwoman, a South African, two Amercan women, an Englishwoman and two New Zealanders. It was a particularly happy party, and a trip through tlio Waitonio Cave* had cemented an acquaintanceship into friendship. Music, song and story had been coming o'er the wireless, ini hiding selections by the Canterbury Regimental Band. .Inst as coffee had been served the announcer said: “It is ton o'clock now. and wo are about to c-losc* down, (■codnight. everybody. ’ r l lie Waitonio guests thought that was the end ol it. when suddenly the* hand si ruck up “God Save the King " Like a shot each of these visitors from dilforont countries in the world rose and stood at attention.

“It made one proud to feel you were a British subject,’’ said a much I ravelled South African later. ‘Acs, I suppose it does." answered the Swiss. “You Britishers are a great people, and the more one travel- the more a person realises that l act. ' Du*’ °-f U |e American ladies remarked: “Well. 1

guess it " a.s unique. Here were* we. a mixed company of all nationalities, uway cut. in the Imekbloek- ol New Zealand, when that hand struck up. and look what is caused us to do. It was great. I’ll tell all our folk about it when ne get hack to (alilornia. It was -a line tribute to tin* British nation.'’ The Scotsman marvelled. He could not help remarking: “Fancy von people .standing for the National Anthem when it comes over the aerial, f didn’t think it was done.’’