EXCHANGE OF NAVAL VISITS

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22355, 19 March 1938, Page 13

EXCHANGE OF NAVAL VISITS

PLANS FOR CENTENNIAL OF NEW ZEALAND

LTHE PRESS Special Service.]

AUCKLAND, March 18. One result of the recent visit to Australia of the two New Zealand cruisers, the Achilles, which returned to Auckland to-day, and the Leander, is that a regular exchange of visits between the units of the two divisions is likely to be put upon a more definite basis than it has been in the past. It is learned that naval officers in both countries would welcome alternate visits each year, and although circumstances may arise which would not make this possible, more frequent visits to each country are hoped for in future. ...... New Zealand officers hope that the Australian ships will be able to make a cruise to the Dominion next year, and even if this is not arranged, it is certain that the Commonwealth wifi be represented at New Zealand’s centennial celebrations in 1940. It is probable that the course followed then will be the same as for that of the New Zealand ships during the Australian visit, when the Achilles represented New Zealand at Sydney for the sesquicentenary celebrations and the Leander visited other ports until the Achilles could follow her example. Although no definite arrangements have yet been made, New Zealand can also expect to find that the United States ’s invited to be represented by naval units at the centennial celebrations. The recent visit to Auckland of the heavy cruiser Louisville, whose officers and men were extremely popular, did much to encourage many prominent Aucklanders to approach the Minister for Defence (the Hon. F. Jones) with the suggestion that an attempt be made to arrange such a visit. Mr Jones said that he had welcomed the suggestion, but that toe decision would have to be made by the Government, which would also have to find out exactly how such an invitation would have to be made.