RECEPTION FOR EMDEN

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 681, 5 June 1929, Page 1

RECEPTION FOR EMDEN

Planned By Citizens GERMAN CONSUL CRITICISED “•"I’lIE action of the German Consul in asking the Mayor not 1 to tender a civic reception to the officers and crew of the Emden will not appeal to Aucklanders. In my opinion the consul’s action is a mistake, and is deserving of censure.”

So said Mr. E. Langguth, formerly consul at Auckland for the Austrian Empire, who convened a meeting in the Lewis Eady Hall yesterday afternoon to discuss the entertainment of the crew of the German cruiser Emden, due at Auckland on June 26. Over 30 people were present, including three representatives of the League of Nations Union, the Rev. A. W. McMillan, Mrs. Reilly and Mr. Bernard Martin.

“The Emden is coming here on a mission of peace, and if the League of Nations is to be a success, all feelings of bitterness due to the war should be forgiven and forgotten,” said Mr. Langguth. It might be understood from the German Consul’s request that the officers and crew of the Emden did not desire a public reception, but such was not the case, he added. Though the consul had said the desire was to avoid controversy, none had come to the attention of the speaker. On Mr. Langguth’s suggestion two committees, one of women and the other of men, were set up to confer and report to a later general meeting at the end of the week. Mr. O. J. Thedens, Austrian Trade Commissioner for New Zealand, was appointed honorary secretary, and the following committees were appointed:

Mesdames H. Rice, E. Langguth, Porter and Dr. Mildred Staley; Messrs. E. Langguth, G. Belin, B. Martin and H. Jagusch. A dance for the officers and motor trips for both officers and men were suggested, and Mr. Martin said the League of Nations Union also proposed some form of hospitality. Guarantees to the extent of about £6O were given by those present to cover the cost of entertainment, and many motor-cars were offered. Later, Mr. Martin said the League of Nations Union intended to extend courtesies to the cruiser’s captain as the representative of a Power which belonged to the League. The form these would take would be decided later. MAYOR’S ACTION CRITICISED “PETTY AND UNCHRISTIAN” (Australian and N.Z. Press Association) SYDNEY, June 4. At the first reunion and dinner of New Zealand returned soldiers and Imperial ex-servicemen in Sydney, held here this evening, the following resolution was carried unanimously: “That this gathering disapproves of the action of the Mayor of Auckland, Mr. G. Baildon, in not extending hospitality to the officers and men of the Emden; and that it considers the Mayor’s attitude not only petty, but unchristian.” Major J. N. Louden presided and 150 ex-servicemen sat down to dinner. War reminiscences and anecdotes of Gallipoli flowed freely. Among the guests were Messrs. Blow and Barnett, of the New Zealand Government Agency, and Sir Charles Rosenhali. The organisers were Messrs. J. Angus, R. Chapman and Roy Stanley. WORKING FOR PEACE OBJECT OF R.S.A. Press Association CHRISTCHURCH, Tuesday. “That, in view of the fact that the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association, in common with other exservicemen’s organisations throughout the world, is now working for the establishment of world peace, this executive of the Christchurch Returned Soldiers’ Association dissociates itself from the resolution framed by a section of its members at last Thursday evening’s social regarding the visit of the Emden, and regrets that publicity was given to the resolution as representing the official view of the Christchurch Association.” This motion was carried unanimously at a meeting of the executive of the Christchurch Returned Soldiers' Association this evening. The resolution referred to voiced objection to any civic function or entertainment being given to the crew of the Emden.