H.M.S. NEW ZEALAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18089, 13 May 1922, Page 12

H.M.S. NEW ZEALAND.

Sir,—l quite agree with Mr. Godfrey E. Webster that it is a pity that a fine ship like H.M.S. New Zealand should be destroyed as a result of the decisions of the Washington Conference. It looks to me as a wilful waste of good material that could bo put to some practical use. I would suggest that the ship should bo brought out to Now Zealand and anchored in the Waitemata. She might then bo fitted up as a floating residential hotel, and the accommodation let ofi for occupation. I believe there are numbers of people who would bo willing to pay rent for rooms on board during the summer months. The life would bo healthful and enjoyable, and would, L think, bo highly popular. Navy Blue.

Sir, —To me, who am not a New Zealawier yet, but merely a fairly recent visitor from the Old Country, it lias been a matter of very real surprise that so little apparently has been, or is being ■done, m relation to the fat* of H.M.S. Zealand. In Thursday's llkkald there •was a forceful plea by Mr. Godfrey E. Webster, that this truly historic (ship should be saved from the hands of the ehipbreakor. and that she should be found a place in Auckland Harbour. That suggestion, one would suppose, should receive the very fullest, support from all New Zealanders. New Zealand is an island Dominion, and, so far as I am able to arrive at an opinion, hor young men have a trreat bent toward the sea.. One has but to take nolo of the bit: appeal that .yacht - ins has to see the indication of this. Surelv, then, here, in this "England of the South Pacific." some useful, patriotic work could bo found for a vessel that must arouse a feeling of pride in all New Zealanders. Mr. Webster hints at a commarcial use for the ship. I do not like the idea of " commercialism " in relation to the vessel. Rather would one prefer to | eee the New Zealand prolonging her life in some more inspiring phase of seafaring. It would seem as though a good and honourable career could be found for the New Zealand, in New Zealand waters, in connection with some such movement as the . Sea Scouts; or in relation to any operations that hold, the ideal of inspiring a true sea spirit in th 0 youth of New Zealand. Obviouslv the cost of conversion from a purely fighting ship to a ship of peace would be considerable. But are not the keeping alive of tradition, the pnthusinc of youth, and the carrying out of patriotic efforts worthy of some sacrifice 7 This is a matter upon which one would like to hear the opinions .or the New Zealand Navy League. The Navy League in England, the parent institution, has obvipuslv lost one of the mam planks in its platform bv the international limitation of armaments. But, and I put forth the view in all seriousness, might' not the New Zealand branch-of the league find nsefnl scope for its energies in organising a scheme of action that shall retain, in some chosen Dominion harbonr, the New Zealand for the New Zealanders. A. E. Motses.