H.M.S. NEW ZEALAND.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 83, 8 April 1913, Page 8

H.M.S. NEW ZEALAND.

CHKISTCH U iCCXC DISSATISFIED. POLITICAL INFLUENCE SUGGESTED. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) CHKISTCH L'KCH. Monday. A good deal of astonishment has been expressed in the city at tiie. announcement of Captain Ualsey that the movements of the battleship New Zealand in Dominion waters are being arranged by his Excellency tlie Governor. This is interpreted to menu that the Government is arranging the tour, although Mr. M:isMY has stated very explicitly that all arrangements were'in the hands of the Admiralty. This morning Mr. Cyrus Williams (secretary to the Harbour Board), who cabled to Captain Ualsey on Saturday regarding tlie berthing of th s ship in tlie inner harbour, received the following cable to-day:—-"Not arriving in Lyttelton until, after visit to Auckland in May. Will communicate further concerning entering port of lyttelton."' Previously Mr. Williams had suggested to 1 lie Mayor .that a special meeting of tlie committee should be called, and that further representations should be made to tho Prime Minister. Accordingly the Mayor telegraphed to Mr Massey to-day: "Citizens of Cliristchurc'i strongly urge that 11.M.5. New Zealand should visit Lyttelton lirst after Wellington." Mr. Holland was asked if he would make a statement regarding the latest developments in the matter, namely. that tlie programme was in the hands ot the Uovernor. He declined, but added, with a' smile, that the matter waa too closely allied to party politics.