MANY HAPPY RETURNS

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 207, 21 November 1927, Page 13

MANY HAPPY RETURNS

Mayor Extends Greetings MR. AMERY’S BIRTHDAY IN AUCKLAND MR. Amery will celebrate his birthday in Auckland tomorrow. Attention to this fact was drawn by the Mayor, Mr, G. Baildon, at the civic reception in the Concert Chamber to-day.

"fJJHANK you very much, sir,” replied Mr. Amery, who was given a. rousing reception by a large assembly. “I hope that not too many more of them will pass before I have another opportunity of spending another birthday in New Zealand." The Mayoress (Mrs. A. D. Campbell) handed Mrs. Amery a beautiful bouquet of carnations grown in the civic gardens. The Prime Minister, Mr. Coates, was accompanied by Mrs. Coates. The Right Hon. • Sir Francis Bell was, the other Government representative. A Clear, concise and dignified speaker, with a particularly resonant voice, the Secretary of State for the Dominions said, at the conclusion of his reply: “I feel that I will return to England after this tour with a deeper and keener appreciation of the posibilities of this Empire, and a better understanding of the spirit, ideals, and outlook of the people of New Zealand and other Dominions, which form part of our commonwealth of‘British nations.” FORMER VISIT RECALLED Since he was last in New Zealand, said Mr. Amery, the Dominion had mad© tremendous progress. He had already noticed it. in Auckland. But there ha<f been something more than material development. New Zealand, in making sacrifices and history, had been reborn. She had won a place among the nations. This Dominion was an important factor in the common security, development, and welfare of the Empire. “Britain is sound to the core!” declared the Minister. “In those years of war Britain, too, was reborn. She is younger than she was 20 years ago,, Her confidence in her own capacity is greater, her fibres have been hardened, and her pulse has been quickened." As a former ex-Lord of the Admiralty, he thanked New Zealand tor , her contribution toward the Singapore Base, which he had had the honour to inaugurate. (Applause.,) “SPIRIT OF NEW ZEALAND”' “If we want to find the spirit of a country," said Mr. Amery, “we have to come ourse4ve£. That is the reason for my visit. I hope to return with a, better understanding of all our problems in every part of the Empire.” “Mr. Amery is deserving of our greatest thanks for the task he has set himself,” said the Prime Minister, who reminded Aucklanders that the tour was not a pleasure visit. Such a visit by the Secretary of State to every portion of the Dominions — and it was the first occasion that such a Minister had undertaken this tour—was of vital importance to every part of the Empire. “I only hope that Mr. Amery’s visit will be the forerunner of many more,” added Mr. Coates, amidst applause. LEARN FOR HIMSELF It was mos tessential that the Secretary of State should learn for himself on New Zealand soil the New Zealand viewpoint: Imperial Conferences, after all, said the Prime Minister, were “very hurried affairs.”

“Every individual in this country, irrespective of class or party, will join with mo in welcoming Mr. and Mrs. Amery to New Zealand.’* There w'ere several points which would call for Mr. Amery’s attention while in this country. First, political and constitutional relations. “In this connection I think New Zealand is quite satisfied with her present relations,” said Mr. Coates, “and will ask for nothing more.’* (Applause.)

Next on the list was immigration. The Prime Minister regretted that New Zealand’s economic depression had precluded us taking any more settlers of a type which had been, to his mind, eminently successful in New Zealand. Third, was trade. New Zealand desired wherever possible to trade within her own family. “In any case, we take more British goods now than any other part of the Empire,” declared the Prime Minister.