WARM WELCOME

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21373, 18 March 1941, Page 6

WARM WELCOME

AMERICAN SHIPS ARRIVAL IN AUCKLAND IMPRESSIVE SIGHT (Special to Times) AUCKLAND, Tuesday Under a grey sky, the American warships made a fine sight as they rounded North Head one by one yes- , terday afternoon and made their way ' across the calm waters of the harbour to their berths. First to appear, a few minutes after three o’clock, was the flagship Brooklyn. She had not long been in view when a cloud of white smoke, followed by the faint thud of a gun, showed that she was “saluting the country.” Continuing on her way and slowly turning to starboard, she fired 17 guns altogether. A saluting battery on North Head replied, the smoke rising over the neck of land, but no sound reached the official party waiting on the end of King’s Wharf, where the two cruisers were to berth. As she drew nearer, escorted by two tugs, the Brooklyn looked a formidable fighting machine, with her five triple turrets and lofty fore and aft fire-control towers. Hundreds of sailors drawn up along her rails struck a dark note against the mauve-grey of her paintwork. The Savannah, more than two miles astern, was taken in charge by the tugs, which moved out to her as soon as they had completed their task with the Brooklyn, and she was brought alongside King’s Wharf. The destroyers, one aftrr another, then passed up the fairway at good sneed and were berthed at Western Wharf. Round of Visits Awaiting the flagship’s arrival were the American Consul, Mr J. G. Groeninger, Commander J. P. Oldin, U.S.N., naval observer, and a Government group headed by the Under-Secretary for Internal Affairs. 1 Mr J. W. Heenan. Two parties of seamen from H.M.S. Philomel, under the officer of the guard, Lieutenant W. Sykes, were on the berth to handle the lines.

The cruiser’s commander, Captain E. S. Stone, soon departed on a round of calls upon the American Consul, the chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board, Mr Hendry Luke; the Mayor, Sir Ernest Davis, at the Town Hall; the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. W. E. Parry, and the Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones, at the Grand Hotel; and the three New Zealand Chiefs of Staff, Commodore W. E. Parry, Major-Gen-eral Sir John Duigan and Air-Com-modore H. W. L. Saunders. All these calls except the first were returned on board the flagship. Later the Mayor entertained Captain Stone and some of his officers at an informal dinner at the Grand Hotel, to give them an opportunity to meet the New Zealand Chiefs of Staff. In the early evening a number of officers from the ships attended a sherry party at the Officers’ Club.

Tribute to America The following messages were exchanged yesterday between the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser and Captain Stone: Mr Fraser’s message was: — ; “On behalf of the Government and , people of New Zealand I extend to ■ you, your officers and your ships’ . companies the warmest of welcomes 1 to New Zealand. We are looking i forward to meeting you and greeting you as representatives of that ’ great and powerful nation which is doing so much for us in our struggle ' for freedom and democracy and we , hope that your stay with us will be enjoyable and fruitful.” Captain Stone replied in the fol- j lowing terms: — I “The commander, officers and men j . I of this squadron acknowledge with the deepest appreciation your most ' cordial message of welcome. Bound as our two peoples are by the ties of common blood and common in- : terest, we are most grateful for the opportunity to visit the country, whose armed forces are daily adding to the laurels of their glorious past. | Your hospitality is traditional m my service. We who are here now feel privileged indeed to pay our respects to you and through you to the people of New Zealand.” Varied Entertainment Arranged A comprehensive programme for welcoming and entertaining the officers and men of the United States naval squadron has been prepared by the State and civic authorities. Besides a dinner tonight, sight-see-ing tours and social gatherings have been arranged, while the visitors will have the free use of many public facilities and free entry into all theatres and many clubs. “Ties of blood and common interest could not be stronger than | they are at this time between us in the United States and you in these southern Pacific countries,” said Captain Stone in an interview shortly after the arrival of the squadron. GREAT WELCOME AMERICAN OFFICERS APPEARANCE AT CONCERT “DELIGHTED WITH DOMINION” (By Telegraph.—press Association)' AUCKLAND, Tuesday The fi i>‘ public appearance of j Cantain Ellis S. Stone. Officer Com- ! manding the visiting United States j naval squadron was made last night ! in the Town Hall a few hours after i the arrival of the cruisers and dei stroyers when, with a party of his i officers, he was led into the Town 1 Hall by tlfe Mayor, Sir Ernest Davis, I and Bishop Liston, during St. Pati rick's night concert. I The great organ burst into the, I “Star Spangled Banner” march and ! j more than 3000 people rose to cheer the visitors. ) Rev. Dr. Terry, in a short speech, i welcomed Captain Stone and his party. “No more welcome visitors have ever come among us.” he said i in calling for cheers which were i given thunderously, with a spon-1 taniety remarkable for New Zea- j landers. * Captain Stone acknowledged the i welcome, remarking that tlie serried

ranks of bonny children on the platform made a refreshing and charming sight for a sailor home from the sea. Charmed With Singing He said his officers and men were delighted to be in New Zealand. The naval officers were obviously charmed with the singing of a massed choir of children, applauding the anthem, “Hail Glorious St. Patrick.” There was a mighty outburst of renewed cheering as the visitors left the hall to the strains of the “Star Spangled Banner.” American naval ratings and marines were besieged by members of the audience to autograph concert programmes. This typified the manner in which Auckland has taken the American naval men to its heart. Queen Street last night was full of gay parties of sailors and marines, fraternising freely with New Zealand soldiers, sailors, airmen and citizens. Everywhere Uncle Sam's men were arm-in-arm with young women, thronging to dance halls. The traditionally open-hearted Americans delighted the children in Queen Street by giving away packets of “candy” and ice cream after prodical spending in sweet shops. Excursions Arranged The early promise of fine weather was not fulfilled today, but the shevrers did little to spoil the success of excursions to various points of interest in the city and suburbs arranged for 250 officers and men. Conveyed in eight motor-buses the party left the ships at. 9.30 and are due to return at 4 p.m. Places visited included Achilles Point, the museum. Ellerslie Racecourse, where the party had lunch, and the Papakura Mobilisation Camp. A similar excursion has been arranged for tomorrow.