A LUNCHEON

Hokitika Guardian, 23 September 1933, Page 4

A LUNCHEON

TO VISITING NAVY. (Per Press Association —Copyright). WELLINGTON, Sep. 22. A State luncheon to Rear-Admiral Dalglish' and senior officers' of the visiting Australian Squadron was tendered by the New Zealand Government to-day . Mr Forbes presided, and others present included tne members of the Cabinet, and of both Houses of Parliament, Chief Justice Myers, Mayor Hislop, and senior military, naval, and Air Force officers. Mr Forbes, proposing the toast of “His Majesty’s Australian Squadron,” said he was sure the practice which the New Zealand and Australian Navies had had would be of great benefit. New Zealand?s history hod been bound up with the British Navy with which the. New Zealand Government had always, been closely associated. It w r as New Zealand’s aim to keep close association with Australia. These are times in which we must all feel that we are parts of the British Empire, and I have come back from England with a firm conviction we are all members of a great family, he said. Mr Forbes remarked that the present was the first occasion on which they had a lady member lymongsh -them, and he wanted Mrs McCombs to be assured that she was very welcome. (Loud, applause.) Responding, Admiral Dalglish thaufred the Prime Minister and the people of New Zealand for the extraordinaryhospitality which had been extended to them. The practices had given .theAustralian Navy a "wonderful opportunity, and he had been greatly impressed with the effieciency of the NewZealand Division of the Royal Navyl- - felt the officers and men of the Navy were the greatest ambassadors: of peace that could be imagined. (Applause.)