THE AMERICAN FLEET.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4870, 26 August 1925, Page 4

THE AMERICAN FLEET.

ITS VISIT TO NEW ZEALAND.

A LESSON TO LEARN. Editorially the Waipa Post says: “There is an abiding harvest of wisdom to be garnered' from the visit of the American Fleet and New Zealanders’ friendly meeting with thousands of their American cousins. There may have been some truth in the impression that at first New Zealanders did not appear so cordially disposed towards, the men from the great Republic as did the Australian populace, but anyone who has visited die chief ports or the inland towns where detachments of the officers and men have visited will say that the people of this Dominion are warm-heartedly disposed to welcome the visitors. This goodfellowship should remain more than a memory or tradition of goodwill between the peoples. Nearly everyone on board the ships, from the admiral down to the sailor boys, will return home an ambassador of friendship, and will help to create a fraternal understanding between our small and sturdy nation and America’s millions . Thfe will make for the growth of friendship between people which is a security of civilised mankind. The people of America are the nearest in blood - tie to our own Anglo-Saxon race ; they have so many things in common, and they are colonisers and settlers after our own style. True, America has a. vast population of peoples originating from other countries, many from the Latin countries of Europe, but there, is a preponderance of those from the United Kingdom and Northern Europe, while Englitsh is the national language. But to the peoples of these southern lands—Australia as well as New Zealand —there is a precious son to be taken to heart. Admiral Coontz, in more than one of histhoughtful speeches, has said that his strongest impression of the visit is the full realisation of the possibilities of Australia and pur own Dominion, and the fact that some of our people do not seem to be alive to what lies before us. If we are asked if we are. patriotic we. would reply with a very decisive ‘yes.’; but cur patriotism is much less effective when we think of how we are preparing for nationhood, particularly in the way of national training for defence. We have a mosquito navy—so has Australia; we have a half-trained territorial force. But we have no coast defences or aeroplane service that is worth a moment’s consideration in the event of war. We are entirely reliant upon moral suasion and the strong arm of the British and allied navies—thousands of miles away. Australia has a population quite insufficient to settle its huge continent; New Zealand’s one and a quarter million sounds big for a comparatively new country, but it is dwafted into insignificance when compared with most other countries. Though surprised and delighted with what they have seen, and confronted with evidence of what the strenuous energy of our scanty people lias accomplished, our visitors must be amazed at the revelation of the potentialities of this country and Australia a»s spheres of prosperous human activity in the hands of such a people. As stated, one outstanding impression will be how imperfectly our people seem to realise our wonderful inheritance. There can be no doubt whatever that this is true of our people collectively. It is not. too much to

say that the deep sentiment of loyalty itself to one’s country is with us, often submerged by party or personal criticism amounting to selfdepreciation, and this checks that healthy sentiment Of confidence in our future and optimism aS to our efforts, and lessonis that spirit of hope which itself is an assurance of success. Confidence cannot exist without courage. Faith in our country is the rock from which all progress must spring. What a wonderful inheritance New Zealanders and Australians have, to be turned to- greatest advantage by the national will, based upon courage and capacity. This inheritance includes not merely tlie material resources of wide and fertile lands and hidden riches, with gracious climates in which many millions can develop all the arts of happy life, but the more priceless inheritance of great national achievements, high ideals of liberty and selfgovernment enshrined in illustrious history nad imperishable works of genius. This may be an ambition that many will say is impossible of attainment, but no pinnacle is too high to climb.”