LUNCHEON ON MALOLO

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 836, 3 December 1929, Page 11

LUNCHEON ON MALOLO

SPIRIT OF GOODWILL

FOSTERING UNITY Nearly 200 guests—representatives of business and professional Auckland, and of Government departments. were tendered a luncheon on board the liner Malolo this afternoon by the Matson Steam Navigation Company. The Malolo’s commander, Captain G. A. Berndtson, presided. In welcoming the visitors, Air. M. H. Wynyard, chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board, told the story of the coming of the Maoris to New Zealand from Hawaiiki. He proceeded through the British colonisation and concluded with a parallel with the coming of the Malolo. Air. Arthur Homers, ex-president of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce and chairman of the Board of Education of New York, who returned thanks for the welcome, referred to the spirit of kindly hospitality with which the tourists had been received in Auckland. He expressed amazement that conditions on this side of the world were so attractive and enticing. The good Hand had endowed New Zealand as a splendid country and the people with a fine integrity. On international relations Air. Somers was heartily applauded by asking why the old national di -ision of space should now prevent a drawing together of the nations in spirit. “We have been enriched while we were here,” he said, “and we have learned to love you more, and we hope you will love us.” WELCOMED BY GOVERNMENT On behalf of the Government, the Postmaster-General, the Lion. J. B, Donald, welcomed the tourists in the unavoidable absence of the Alinister of Marine, the Hon. J. G. Cobbe. Air. Donald expressed regret that Sir Joseph Ward had been unable to be present because of ill-health. “I believe American stock has gone up much higher than before your cruise,” Air. Donald told the visitors. “We feel we are meeting the real America and that we have got to know you better.” He hoped that as a result of the interchange of ideas the visitors would carry back with them the fact that New Zealand would like more export trade to the States in order to even trade up a bit. Air. Donald concluded with a message of goodwill. Air. C. C. Aloore, ex-president of the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, and sponsor of the cruise, said there had been an atmosphere about the welcome that had been appreciated. He hoped for opportunity to reciprocate. Commenting upon a Sun editorial, Air. Aloore said the Press had caught the spirit of months and months of preparation for the cruise—goodwill was the keynote. He caused laughter by remarking that everything could not be done on advanced money—he referred to the expense of the cruise. The speaker hoped that some benefit would result from the voyage in happier international relations. In speaking on behalf of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, the president, Air. H. T. Alerritt, mentioned the value to business enterprise of the visit. “We admire intensely the task of bringing so many American citizens to this country,” Air. Merritt said. “We have come to the view that there is after all very little difference between our people and yours in sentiment and spirit.” said Mr. Merritt. “We have found New Zealand very lovely,” said Air. R. N. Lynch, vicepresident and manager of the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, who briefly thanked: Auckland for the reception.