MADE IN N.Z.

Evening Post, Volume CXXXII, Issue 51, 28 August 1941, Page 10

MADE IN N.Z.

SWEEPER HINAU

NOW IN THE WATER

AUCKLAND CEREMONY

(0.C.) AUCKLAND, This Day. H.M.S. Hinau, the first minesweeper of the composite type to be constructed in New Zealand under the Government's wartime building programme, was christened by Mrs. D. G. Sullivan, wife of the Minister of Supply, and launched at a ceremony at the Marine Department's construction yard, Beaumont Street, today. Over 1000 people witnessed the launching, which went through without a hitch. With the words, "I name this sliip Hinau. May God bless her and all who serve in her," Mrs. Sullivan broke a bottle of New Zealand wine over the Wow and called for cheers as the ship went down the slip. As the Hinau took the water the National Anthem was played "by the Papakura Camp Band. She was towed to her fitting-out berth with a sprig of hinau at the bow. Prior to the launching the traditional naval religious service was conducted by the chaplain at the Naval Base, the Rev. G. T. Robson. Mr. Hendry 'Luke, chairman of the i Auckland Harbour, Board, said that in | taking part in the ceremony he had only one regret, and that was that they had again been forced into war and must concentrate on 'the production of means of prosecuting the war. He shared the general satisfaction that the Hinau, a stout vessel built entirely in New Zealand by New Zealand labour and principally of New Zealand materials, would shortly be taken over by the Royal Navy, on whose protection the Dominion was so dependent. -, She had been built on land reclaimed some years ago by, the Harbour Board for the purpose of shipbuilding, but it was not anticipated at that time that the building would be •of ships of war. Mr. Luke recalled the early days when shipbuilding was so important a part qf the life of Auckland and said that the fact that pleasure craft had been in such demand had made it possible to keep together the excellent shipwrights and allied^ workers available in Auckland. He expressed regret at the decline in coastal shipping and the hope that every effort would be made to encourage it and restore it to its real position.' HONOUR TO AUCKLAND. i Mr. J. A. C. Allum, Mayor of Auckland, expressed appreciation of the honour done to Auckland in the building of the first minesweeper. While it was regrettable that' so much of the ! national wealth had to go to the build- 1 ing of ships of war, he hoped that Auckland would be entrusted with the construction of many more such ships. He recalled the exploits of New Zealand personnel in naval actions in the present war, and said there was no; doubt that New Zealanders had played j their part well. They must not for- j get, too, those who were carrying on i the motonous and dangerous job of ! keeping the sea lanes around New Zealand clear of enemy mines. Mr. Allum congratulated all who had been concerned with the construction of the I Hinau. He was sure she would be of j good service to the Empire and the | Dominion, and he hoped that good fortune would attend those who sailed in her., Captain E.Rotherham, R.N., said that ■since the,war began the New Zealand naval forces had expanded very greatly by the commissioning of coastal ship- | ping, but this was the first occasion ' when a ship had been built and launched and would be commissioned in the Dominion. It would also be a source of great satisfaction to New Zealanders to know that at present there were more New Zealand naval personnel serving overseas with the Royal Navy? than there were officers and men of the Royal Navy serving in New Zealand. (Applause.) '.''-. Captain Rptherham congratulated the builders on "a good, steady launch" and all others concerned with the building of the vessel. A FINE ACHIEVEMENT. Similar congratulations were offered by Mr. Sullivan, who also expressed the Government's thanks to those responsible. Everyone would share with him, he said, in a full appreciation of the fine industrial achievement which the ceremony marked. Too often New Zealanders had been loudest in belittling their own work and resources, but now there was arising a spirit of self-determination and self-reliance, which was exemplified in H.M.S. Hinau. Great development in the same direction required nothing more' than time and opportunity. It had been suggested that the Government might go even further and build larger warships for service overseas. To that he would say that the Government had already gone beyond the origrnal programme and would extend it still further if necessary to meet wartime needs. The present scheme had laid a foundation for development on a much larger scale if required. Confidence in the ability of the Hinau and the men who would man .her to stand up to every test was expressed by Mr. Sullivan. Two more of the same type of composite vessel were now being built at Auckland and would be ready for launching in a few weeks'. Nine steel minesweepers were to be constructed, five of them at Port Chalmers, three at Auckland, and one at Wellington. It was less than a year since the Government approved the construction of the Hinau, and now she was in the water. New Zealand was facing up to a quite ambitious programme of ship building for the Royal Navy. It was a new departure in the Dominion and showed the Government's faith in the ability of New Zealanders to carry out the task. The Government intended to meet the special requirements of the Navy as far as was possible and no effort would be spared in that direction. Mr. Sullivan also spoke of the great industrial effort that was being made throughout the Dominion for war purposes. Cheers were given for the contractors and those associated with them, and for the Royal Navy. An official morning tea at the yard followed.