AFTER DINNER.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 76, 7 April 1913, Page 5

AFTER DINNER.

H.M.S. KcW ZEALAND.

THE OFFICERS ENTERTAINED. [Rv ELECTRIC TeLEUUAI’II — ICopyright] 1 Copyright] [United Press Association. 1 Mdl'O.a;io, April li. A largo and enthusiastic gathering, including Lord. Denman, public men | and distinguished naval and military ■officers, took place on the occasion ot uio dinner tendered by the Commonwealth Government to the captain and officers of H.M.S. New Zealand. Tho Acting-Minister of Defence ('Mr Hughes) presided, Lord Denman expressed his pleasure in welcoming the guests. His only regret was that their visit was so short. He would have liked if the officers and men had had time to visit tiro inland towns, and would also have liked if the New Zealand had visited ocher poids. After quoting Senator Pearco’s remarks on tho all-import-ance of naval defence. Lord Denman added: “Judging, by' tho utterances of public men, Australia is ready to use her ship:; in co-operation with the Mother Country whenever and whatever danger threaetns. lam quite sure that no one in Australia questions the patriotism and fine Imperial spirit which prompted New Zealand to contribute such a fine ship to the Empire. She is a model of up-to-date naval construction, and is fortunate in her officers. They have undertaken tho Imperial mission of steaming across the world to show what the loyal Dominions are doing.” He hoped they would survive the good time mapped out for them in New Zealand. Mr Hughes proposed “Tho New Zealand,” coupled with the name' of Captain Halsey. Ho said that Australia welcomed those aboard the battleship as kinsmen and as missioners in the very great and dreadful purpose of a new era—q#i era which he and every right-thinking man regretted. Sensible men, however, could not and would not close their eyes to the conditions which menaced and threatened to destroy them. They would bo doubly stupid if they failed to recognise the position and were unprepared for any situation that might arise. “We have,” ho proceeded, “to take an active part in tho defence of tho Empire. We need not fear • criticism as to what Australia is doing or offer any on what New Zealand is doing. The world is looking on and making a note of it. New Zealand, Australia and Canada have taught the whole world a lesson. It anything will make for peace, that will-.”

Captain Halsey, m replying, said that the generosity of New Zealanders in presenting such a ship as the New Zealand had had a tremendous moral effect on the strength and solidarity of the Empire.

Mr Tudor proposed “The Dominion of Now Zealand,” coupling with it the name of the Hon. F. M. B. Fisher. He expressed a wish that the conferences arranged between Canada, Australia and New Zealand would result in a reciprocal arrangement. Mr Fisher, in reply, after expressing his appreciation of Australian hospitality, said that one of the finest Imperialistic messages ever delivered was that of the Prime Minister when he said that the Dominions of the Southern Hemisphere might be relied on to their last man, their last gun and their last sovereign. With that sentiment New Zealand was in entire accord. He did not believe in spasmodic contributions. They should lie permanent, substantial and reliable. The New Zealand was not the gift of the Government to which ho belonged, but of their predecessors in office; but bis Government made no concessions to those predecessors on the question of Imperialism. They were prepared to do all that was asked or might be required of them. Any matters of defence concerning Australians also concerned New Zealanders, and they must ultimately be united for purposes of common defence. (Loud chSers.) Dealing with reciprocity, lie said that New Zealanders wanted the Commonwealth to treat them as brothers, as units of the same Empire. If he could go back after having done something to cement the friendship of- the two countries, | lie would feel that be had played a little part in the consummation of the good work. Ho only wanted Australia to deal ns generously with New Zealand as she was prepared to deal with Australia. TREATMENT OF THE BOYS IN BLUE. Melbourne, April G. There is some comment on the want of public interest in H.M.S. New Zealand’s visit. One explanation put forward is that it is probably because the public care waiting for the arrival of the cruiser Australia. In a letter published in the Argue, signed “Australian,” the writer says: “Like many other Victorians,* I have been watching for a proposal to suitably entertain the crew of the New Zealand, but no notice appears to be taken of our guests apart from the officers. When one thinks of the royal manner in which the American squadron was entertained, it maker one disgusted to think of .the cool treatment accorded to the ship provided bv our sister dominion.” FUTURE PROSPECTS. WEIGHING THE CHANCES. (Received 9.25 a.m.) Melbourne, April 7. Mr Hughes added: “I am a member of a party who dearly love peace, but the day when it is secured is not yet : therefore, the only thing to do—and

we are doing it—wc, the Commonwealth, 1 mean, —for Now Zealand will be relying on the brotherhood of man, which, I am afraid, is about as valuable ns an umbrella would be to protect us from shrapnell—will have to take an active pare in the defence of tho Empire.” Commander Halsey declared tb.it when in t.ie future any nation came to weigh up England’s chance of defending herself, the dominions would have to go on the scale, and they would carry down the whole of the weight, which would cause the foreigner to think better of it. Mr F. M. li. Fisher said we could not expect for one moment to hold what ive already had without a common effort on the part of the ’Empire to make itself so impregnable that war would be so fearsome a tiling that the enemy would not attempt it. Touching on reciprocity, Mr Fisher declared tiiat he had come over to do something which should be delightful to the Commonwealth Ministers, namely, to form a trades union. Mr Hughes, responding to tho toast of “Tho Chairman,” said tho balance of the world would shift when the Panama Canal was opened. It might be that the equilibrium would be so upset that in tiie Pacific a decisive battle for the Empire would be fought; if so, a wide field would indeed be opened upon them ; perhaps it would be too wide, but it would have .potential por.sibiliities for Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.