Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1940. WELCOME TO ACHILLES

Greymouth Evening Star, 22 February 1940, Page 6

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1940. WELCOME TO ACHILLES

gO much of the Navy’s work has to be achieved unheralded and unsung, that it is fitting when there is an opportunity of public acknowledgement, the utmost advantage should be taken of the occasion. The arrival of the Achilles, to-mor-row, at Auckland, will provide such opportunity, and all New Zealand will be there fin spirit, if not in actuality. The Governor-General, Cabinet Ministers, and others in public life are to attend, and generally, the officers and the crew, whether Dominion or Homeland, should have no doubt of the hearty appreciation felt by this nation for the Achilles’ part in the battle with the Graf Spee.

The British people are extending great welcomes to the men of the Exeter and- Ajax, thus, an excellent precedent is available, if one is needed. Apart from the immediate enthusiasm for the navy, the Achilles welcome-home will arouse, the proceedings should help to make this sea-surrounded country more sea-minded —and not only for the war’s duration. One day, the Dominion will have its own navy, perhaps, with most of the vessels built in this country, and at any rate, fully manned by New Zealanders. Meanwhile, practical considerations must rule, and aid accepted from the Homeland. Already, the Achilles has made naval history for the Dominion, and remembrance of her exploit, in postwar years, must inspire further chapters. ' *

Discipline must be maintained, especially on a warship, but it is gratifying to learn that the Achilles is a‘ ‘ ‘ happy ship, ’ ’ officers and men respecting each other. The crew’s praise of Captain Parry for his handling of the ship, which but for a few splinter hits, is reported to have escaped injury in the River Plate fight, will be the tribute most valued by the commander. If he is “a right good captain, too,” he commanded a right good crew, and he was not slow with such admission. Experience on the Achilles and other warships,—as well as with the military forces, —has proved that true democracy can exist with necessary discipline, and that oldtime errors and terrors on board ships, have largely disappeared. It would be too much to claim that sailors find it, nowadays, difficult to grumble occasionally, . but in their normal moods, they would be the first to admit that “the navy’s not so bad.”

How long will be the present stay of the Achilles and her crew in New Zealand waters, is a matter for conjecture, but whilst the men are here, they should be regarded as guests of the nation, and be given, freely, all the transport and accommodation necessary. It is to be hoped that the hospitality forthcoming will be tempered by discretion, so that the good name of the ship will not be affected. Meanwhile, all the Dominion extends a welcome to the Achilles, the thanks to officers and crew for past services, being combined with the confident belief that should future cireumstancess necessitate, similar good work will again be forthcoming from them.