DUTCH SQUADRON

Hokitika Guardian, 18 October 1930, Page 5

DUTCH SQUADRON

WELCOME TO N.Z.

A STATE LUNCHEON

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, October 17

The Dutch Squadron arrived from Sydney to-da.v, consisting of the cruiser Java, which is the flagship of RearAdmiral C. C. Kayser, Comma nder-m-Chief of the squadron and two destroyers, Evensteen and de Ruyter. There are two hundred Java natives among the “Java’s” crew of. 474 ratings. 'The Dutch squadron guests received a cordial welcome at Parliament House, . they being greeted by the ActingPriine Minister, Hon. E. A. Ransom. A State luncheon to the, senior officers of the squadron was set in the old Legislative Council Chamber. The long tables were draped with the New Zealand and the Dutch flags. Upon the walls there hung portraits of the early legislators, together with native mats and implements of warfare. Seated to the right of the ActingPrime Minister was Admiral Kayser, and on his left was the Chief Justice, Sir Michael Myers, and . fhe other guests included the Speaker of he House of Representatives, Sir Charles Stratham; the Speaker of the Legislative Council, Sir Walter. Carncross; the Acting-Leader of the Legislative Council, Hon, 11. Masters; the mem* bars of the Cabinet and of the Upper House; the Leader of t|ie Opposition, Rt. Hon. J. G. Cbates; Members of 'J'e Parliament, members of the Consular Corps, the Mayor of Wellington, Mr G. A. Troupe; and the Chairman of the Wellington Harbour Board, .Mr J. W. McEwan. In addition to RearAdmiral Kayser, the officers include Captain J. de Graf (Commander of the Java), Lieut-Commander (first class) A G. van der Sande Lacoyte (Commander of the Eversten), and Lieut.-Com-mander (first class) van Leeuwen (Commander of the de . Ruyter), and Commander P. Post Uiterweer (Chie* staff officer).

In extending the guests a welcome after the toast of the King and Queen , of the Netherlands had been honoured,. the Acting-Prime Minister recalled that this land now being visited for the first time by a Dutch squadron, had been discovered by a Dutchman, Abel Tasman, several hundred years ago. It was recognised that it was through the enterprise and seamanship of the Dutch navigators that the discovery was made utiiall. . ; Their courage and initiative in negotiating incliartered seas was fully appreciated, and the Now Zealanders , who had inherited the new land in the southern seas owed a debt of gratitude to , those who had blazed the trail. Mr Ransom said that New Zealand had a: bond of kinship with the East Indies, where the Dutch had settled, especially since they had given hospitality to' the British aviators who had been forced to seek assistance there. It was regrettable that tbtf Prime Minister was not able to welcome the visit*

ors, owing to his absence from the country on imperial business, but, on his behalf, Mr Ransom said that he wished to extend .to the country's guests a welcome befitting the friendship that existed between the two countries. ADMIRAL’S SPEECH. Rear-Admiral Kayser expressed his appreciation of the warm welcome ; intended to him and to his officers md men upon their arrival. Holland, ne said, was close to the shores of England, and had much in common with her. The relations between Great Britain and the Dutch Republic and kingdom had been of the best for centuries. In spite of the fact that they had quarrelled, “as neignbours would,” both Great Britain and Holland traded together in Europe, and there was no reason why Britain’s Colony in the South Seas and the Colonies of the Netherlands in the East Indies should not trade more to their mutual advantage. (Hear, hear). Holland, he said, produced much in her tropical colonies which New Zealand could buy, and the East Indies would be pleased to accept, more of New Zealand’s butter, meat, cheese, and fruit.

An interesting gathering was brought to a close by the visiting officers drinking' the toast of their hosts and of the continued friendship of Die two countreis.