DOMINION'S GIFT

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1170, 4 July 1911, Page 5

DOMINION'S GIFT

WARSHIP. . H.M.S. NEW ZEALAND. LAUNCHED AT GLASGOW BY LADY WARD. SPEECH BY SIR J. Q. WARD. By Telegraph—rrcss Association—CopyriEbt London, July 2. Eight thousand persons witnessed the launch at tho Fairfield works, Glasgow, of the cruiscr-btatleship New Zealand, the gift ship of tho Dominion to the Navy, which will be tho flagship of tho China Squadron of tho Eastern Fleet. Lady Ward performed the christening ceremony. Tho guests included Sir Edward Morris (Premier of Newfoundland), Sir James and Lady Mills, Mrs., Miss, and Captain Seddon, Mr. Wray Palliser (from the High Commissioner's office), Sir William and Lady Russell, and a large contingent of New Zealand visitors. Lady Ward cut the cord which released the vessel from tho stocks, saying: "I name you tho New Zealand." As the, vessel glided into the water Lady Ward added: "God protect her! May she never bo culled upon to engage in battle, but if otherwise I pray that victory may be hers." Sir Joseph Ward, in a speech, said he hoped thoso present would realise, as lib did, that tho launch of tho warship was a proof that the peoples of Britain overseas wero one in ambition, one in sentiment, with their kith and kin in the Old Country. The launch helped to realise that there could be no division when the time of trial came. The people of New 'Zealand had found tho money for this vessel unmurmuringly, knowing that the defence of any part of the Old World was their defence.

Mr. Grade, representing the' builders, said the vessel was an emphatic token of New Zealand's loyalty and devotion. He presented Lady Ward with a caskct containing the axe with which she had severed the cord.

Sir Joseph Ward, speaking at a reception after the launch, said the overseas Dominions wished to be recognised as partners with the Motherland in the strictest sense. Although the Imperial Conference had been unable to accept the idea of an Imperial Council, the cementing process was proceeding, and the necessity was growing for some Council of Defence above party and clear of local necessities at Homo and abroad.

Lord Plunke't, ex-Governor of NewZealand, stated that tho vessel they had launched that day was not merely a warship, but an embodiment of a new epoch in naval history. He testified to the fine Imperial- spirit of tho Dominion. New Zealanders, liko Australians, were not afraid of compulsorily training their sons for military service. Sir Joseph Ward handed a copper plaque from the colleges and schools of New Zealand to tho Fairfield Company. SIR J. CARROLL'S MESSAGE. CONGRATULATIONS FROM NEW ZEALAND. IBy TeicEraph-Pross Associations Gore, July 2. Sir James Carroll, Acting-Premier, yesterday dispatched tho following cablegrain to the Premier:— "Sir.Joseph Ward, , New Zealand DreSdhoujjht, "Glasgow. "Peoplo of New Zealand, your colleagues and myself are with you to-day on great occasion. ■ New Zealand wishes her gift namesake, as sho leaves the ways, amission of peace, an emblem of sentiment moving dominions overseas to concerted action. May sho long remain an important unit of an invincible navy to police tho Seven Seas and guard tho pathways of the Empire's commerce. To the Navy and people of Motherland we send greetings. Ake, ake, kia kaha. "J. CARROLL." To this the Acting-Prime Minister has received tho following reply:—"New Zealand launohed to-day. Great gathering of people, including large number of I\V Zealanders. Magnificent ship. Readvour cable. Much appreciated'.—WAßD, Glasgow."