The menu included toheroa soup and New Zealand trout and passion fruit. Sir James Allen read a message from [prime minister] Mr Coates expressing New Zealand’s determination to foster Empire unity, after which he said he wished to extend to the Duke and Duchess of York the heartiest invitation to visit New Zealand, assuring them of the warmest reception. If the little princess accompanied them she would be welcomed not only by the British residents but by the Maoris who would immediately adopt her as their own princess. The Duke of York, in responding, paid a tribute to Sir James Allen’s great services to New Zealand. His retirement would be deeply regretted by a wide circle of official and unofficial friends. New Zealand’s loyalty was unsurpassed anywhere in the Empire. New Zealand was British to the very core and her people possessed the most sterling character. New Zealand was a small country, about the size of Britain, but quantity was not necessarily an index of quality. Little New Zealand deserved the title ‘‘Great’’ as fully as any of the sister dominions.
‘Another Homey’
‘‘Immigrants are not satisfied with the way they are treated when they arrive in New Zealand.’’
That was the statement made to a Daily Times representative by Mrs Jones Neilson, an immigrant, who is forming an immigrants’ club in Dunedin. ‘‘They soon become broken-hearted when they begin to see the antipathy felt towards them by New Zealanders. The usual greeting when an immigrant just starts work is ‘Hello, here’s another Homey.’ The result is that they become
despondent, for there is nobody to give them the start they should have. When leaving England they are given a promise by the New Zealand and British Governments that there will be work and homes for them on their arrival, but when they land they find that nothing has been done for them.’’
Industrial unrest was disturbing England. Placards were posted up all over the country advising the people to ‘‘Go to New Zealand, the land of opportunities.’’ In this and in other ways people were prompted to give up their positions and come out to the Dominion. Of course New Zealand could absorb them. It was ridiculous to say that it could not.
There was no law in New Zealand which gave immigrants legal rights on landing. Immigrants could not endure the treatment they were given by New Zealanders. One New Zealand woman, in referring to some English girls serving in a shop, had said: ‘‘I could spit on them.’’ That was absolutely unfair. Gradually the immigrants’ hearts were broken, and many of them returned home.
Time limit
A special condition was attached to the license granted to D.C. Clark, of the Hermitage, Mount Cook, to the effect that dancing on the premises must cease at 11pm.
The licensing committee recognised Mr Clark was a careful licensee and ‘‘the conduct of the Hermitage had been very satisfactory. Many guests resided at the Hermitage for health reasons, and did not wish to be disturbed by jazzing and fox-trotting.
Hand-cranking attempts backfire
Leslie Churchill, a commercial traveller, of 1 Bruce street, Roslyn, received a broken arm at Oamaru on Tuesday as the result of a car which he was cranking backfiring.
Arthur Duncan, aged 17 years, and residing at 2 Council street, St Kilda, was admitted to the Hospital about 8 o’clock yesterday morning suffering from a fractured right forearm, the result of cranking a car.
He is employed by Wren and Co, signwriters.
— ODT, 10.6.1926
