OUR HOSPITAL SHIPS

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 10, 13 January 1941, Page 6

OUR HOSPITAL SHIPS

The announcement by the Prime Minister (Mr. Fraser) on Saturday

that the Government had arranged to take over the Maunganui and convert her into a hospital ship, and was also negotiating for the acquisition of a second hospital ship, will be welcomed by the public. The return of a number of men invalided from the New Zealand forces in the Middle East and the prospect of

steadily increasing activity in the theatres of war in that region make clear the necessity for hospital ships. In the Great War the need became apparent soon after the beginning of the Gallipoli campaign, and the Maheno was commissioned as New Zealand's first hospital ship. Later in 1915 the Marama was equipped for similar service and both vessels carried on throughout the war. Both these ships have passed out of existence, but the Maunganui, a veteran troopship of the Great War, which helped to convey the Main Body of the N.Z.E.F. to Egypt and made many subsequent voyages as a "trooper," still survives in excellent trim and active service and will open up a new round of war duty as a hospital ship. Always a favourite with the travelling public and held in affectionate memory by many a returned soldier, the Maunganui will enter her new career with the best wishes of all New Zealanders for the successful accomplishment of her mission of mercy.