WHEN GERMAN CRUISER CALLS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 670, 23 May 1929, Page 1

WHEN GERMAN CRUISER CALLS

Courtesy to Naval Visitors GOVERNMENT LEAD SOUGHT WHETHER or not the officers and men of the German cruiser Emden, due to visit Auckland on June 26, are to be given a civic reception and the form of official hospitality, if any, to be extended is exercising the thought of the civic authorities.

THE Emden. namesake of. the famous raider, -will be the first German war vessel to enter the port since the war. Disinclined to commit the city to any definite course the Mayor, Mr. G. Baildon, holding the opinion that the visit is of national moment, directed the town clerk to seek a lead from the Government. “We have written to the Department of Internal Affairs which deals with these matters," said Mr. Baildon, “and when a reply is received action will be determined." formal courtesies Army and navy regulations prescribe a number of formal courtesies which are extended to military and naval visitors. On-entering port the Emden will hrejfce customary salute of guns, returned gun for gun. Calls must also be exchanged between the senior naval officer and senior military officer in the nort and the captain of the cruiser. This custom also extends to exchanges of similar courtesies with the Mayor of the city and the chairman of the Harbour Board. Beyond these, it is not necessary to go. although there enters the question of what, in the circumstances comprises good manners toward those who, for the time being, are visiters, and who also now belong to a friendlynation. A reply to the town clerk’s inquiry was received this morning. The Department of Internal Affaire states: “In addition to official recognition by tl\e Govern- . ment the courtesy offered to visitors from foreign naval Powers shall be extended." The town clerk, Mr. J. S. Brigham, stated that it had not been decided whether a civic reception would be tendered. The “courtesy offered to visitors of foreign naval Powers” imposed no obligation other than formal official calls. “Whether a civic reception will be siren is a matter for the City Council,” said Mr. Brigham, "and the Mayor will discuss the question at the next ordinary meeting of the council.” AUCKLAND OPINIONS When invited this morning by The Sun to express an opinion as to the extent of the welcome which should be extended to the personnel of the Emden, Miss B. Carnachan, president of the Auckland branch of the National Council of Women, made the following statement:—

“New Zealand is a member of the League of Nations. We have agreed to peace between the nations. We have agreed to outlaw war. Germany has been admitted to membership of the League of Nations. The Auckland branch of the National Council of Women of New Zealand, as an affiliated member of the International Council of Women has, as one of its chief objects, the prevention of war by the promotion of a better understanding among the nations. Unless this is merely an empty profession we must take our part when there comes an opportunity of attaining this object. It would be inconsistent on the part of the National Council of Women if it advocated a refusal of recognition to the visiting warship.” “In this connection I would like to say that a recent message from the Marchioness of Aberdeen, world’s president of the International National Council of Women, whose loyalty no one would doubt, urged all members of the National Council to do all in their power to jjromote world peace and bring about a better understanding among the nations.” NAVY LEAGUE VIEW Mr. Charles Palmer, president of the Auckland branch of the Navy League: “I shall pay a call on the captain of of the Emden as I would call on the commanding officer of any warship that visited Auckland. At present, I have no intention in mind of doing anything beyond that.” An ex-executive officer of the Navy League: “We should be courteous, even if we are not cordial.” The Auckland Officers’ Club has not yet decided what attitude will be adopted. The president. Colonel T. H. Dawson, said the question will shortly be considered at a full meeting of the club. QUESTION OF RELATIONSHIP Mr. H. T. Merritt, president of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce: “We should certainly extend to the visiting German ’ naval men the courtesies which international relationships and customs demand, but to go out of our way to extend hospitality, in my opinion, would be uncalled for. That side of it would be, perhaps, best left alone. At the same time we are dealing, in a sense, with a new generatfon; moreover, Germany is a customer of ours. While she may not be admitted to our close friendship she is a member of our international circle. Thus the visit of her representatives demands proper recognition.”