H.M.S. ZEALANDIA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 14926, 26 February 1912, Page 8

H.M.S. ZEALANDIA.

NOT COMING TO PACIFIC.

[FROM OCR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] London, January 19. The naval correspondent of the Pall Mall Gazette puts forth a story to the effect that owing to the renewal of the Japanese alliance, the Admiralty will not now send the new battleship New Zealand to the Pacific. He says: "This ship, of course, unlike the Australia, is to beunder the direct control of the Admiralty, who are, therefore, entitled to dispose of her as seems to them best for the general defence of the Empire." So far as I remember this is in direct opposition to the expressed intentions of the British Government at the time ol the Defence Conference in 1909, so it. remains to be seen whether there is any foundation for the correspondent's suggestion. The same authority, by the way, is very indignant at the re-naming of the late H.M.S. New Zealand (now H.M.S. Zealandia). Ho says: "If the New Zealand is to be kept here it would be advisable to relieve the unfortunate battleship which until lately enjoyed that name of the uncouth substitute with j which she is at present afflicted. Who is j responsible for introducing such a monstrosity into the navy? If it be desired to maintain the association of the ship with the Dominion, I would suggest Wellington as a suitable alternative. There is no ship in the navy which' now commemorates the Iron Duke. The change would, therefore, serve a, double purpose..'i 'j' -