AUSTRALIA'S NAVY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 14292, 11 February 1910, Page 5

AUSTRALIA'S NAVY.

FIRST DESTROYER LAUNCHED.

christening; CEREMONY.

B.v Telegraph.— Association.—

(Received February 10, 10.30 p.m.)

London, February 10. The first Australian ; destroyer was launched on the Clyde yesterday. Mrs. Asquith, wife >of the Prime Minister, performed the ceremony, naming the destroyer, the Parramatta. , .

- Mr. A. Gracie, chairman of the Fairfield Shipbuilding Company, presented Mrs. Asquith', with a silver casket containing a silver hatchet with which to cut the ribbon. Mrs. Asquith, in performing the ceremony, said : " First-born of the Commonwealth navy, I name you Parramatta. God bless . you and those who sail in you. May you uphold the glorious traditions ot fcne British navy in the dominions overseas." . , ■ The christening was performed with Australian champagne.A large gathering of Australians attended a luncheon in honour of the event. i. Telegrams expressing'regret at inability to be present were received from the Earl of Crewe, Secretary of State for the Colonies, and Lord Fisher, the retiring First Sea Lor;d.

The Lord Provost of , Glasgow, in proposing the toast of " The Commonwealth of Australia," said he was proud to think that in times ,of stress the Mother Country did not appeal in vain to her children across the sea.

Captain Collins, Agent in London for the Commonwealth, in replying* said it was to the credit of the Liberal Government that they, through Mr. Haldane's conception of an Imperial general staff, and at the Naval Conference helped the oversea dominions to pass from an era of ' talk to an era of action, which would develop and help to console date the defence of the Empire. Captain Collins added that Australia was heartily in earnest and in sympathy with this forward movement: Her national spirit of independence made her shoulder her own responsibilities. The Common-, wealth was efficiently reorganising its forces and forming valuable units, which would be a strength and assistance to the whole Empire.

~.j§ipe.,Federal Minister for Defence (Mr. "«tlf»eph Cook), stated last week that the * two other Australian destroyers would .be named the Yarra and the Warrego, after rivers in Victoria and Queensland. Mr. Cook said that it was to be expected, now that the elections in Great Britain were over, that we would soon "hear of the acceptance of tenders for the Australian Dreadnought cruiser.