The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. MONDAY, AUGUST 17, 1908. FLEET WEEK.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2271, 17 August 1908, Page 2

The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. MONDAY, AUGUST 17, 1908. FLEET WEEK.

The historic event in which ,Auck-' land has played a principal part has now become a memory of the past, and from reports to hand wo may frankly congratulate our north-, orn friends on the thoroughness with which they assumed the responsibil-ity-of representing the Dominion in giving a national welcome to the fleet of a friendly people. It is not often that an event which is preceded by such pleasurable hopes transpires with no subsequent pangs of disappointment, that, in some i-espects at least make the result fill short of the anticipation, blit in this case no single tiling appears to have been lacking for the satisfactory consummation of a national celebration. O’lir visitors were received l'oyally, and there is no reason to doubt the sincerity with which all, from tho Admiral downwards, voiced tlieir appreciation of the hospitality accorded them. This is as it should be, for tho courtesy that was shown was neither moro nor less than should bo extended to the officers and men from tho navy of any other Power with which Britain is on friendly forms. It is obvious, of course, that popular enthusiasm should be chiefly reserved for such a nation as the United States, whoso people are bound to us by the ties of common ancestry and common language, Despite miscon-

ception of prejudices which exist in tlio minds of the masses of the United States in connection with all things British, there is no doubt that the Americans are our natural allies, and such visits -as that which lus just taken place will undoubtedly draw closer tho 'bonds of friendship. A. AVellington contemporary has been doploring tho tendency of some Now Zealand journals to he hysterical over tlm occasion, looking upon tlioAV-liito Armada as something of a guarantee that wo shall ho protected against an Asiatic invasion. If such a tendency hag boon shewn, it cannot bo too strongly denounced. AVo can surely do honor lo an outside nation ami bestow upon its representatives all the evidences of friendship that naturally How towards another brand! of tho Anglo-Saxon ivieo without the accusation arising that wo need its protection. AVo in New Zealand may oven go further and consider that an alliance between the United Stitcs and Britain would he to the advantage of the peace of tho world and of particular valuo to ourselves, but tin's should cause no misconception. Tho British Hoot is still, and must, for a very considerable period, remain our chief protection, and tho fact that its power is so immensely superior to that of any other nation is a sourco of utmost satisfaction to ovory New Zoalandcr. At tho same time, tlio presence of such a big array of American battleships in AVaitomata harbor was an incident that must have awakened in thousands of Now Zealanders new ideas as to the real meaning of naval power, and it is quito likely that, tho whole question of the country’s defence will bo much more seriously considered in the future than it Ins boon in the past. Tho average Aucklander must not bo lightly approached in these days, for his dignity lies hoavy upon him, for wh-at -reason? Has lie not been listening all the week to the uiiestim.ited admiration of thousands nf visitors praising his people, his city, and its-climate? Did not Admiral Sperry personally laud his much-lovcd harbor? and, finally, did not his Rugby representatives,’in the presonco of 12,000 people, after a superb struggle, down the AVollingtonians in- tlio handsomest style? It surely has been a great time for our friends of tho northern city, and for tho moment they can afford to forget tlie-ir old-time jealousies and, in fact, commiserate with their less fortunate bretliren in the south. In fact, it is fredly rumored th.it tlio old cry of tho neglected north is to be dropped forever, and that the city which has fleet week as a splendid memory will in tho futuro hold up its head with haughty disdain- and scorn to plead for political or other concessions.