AN ILLUSTRIOUS SHIP

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23011, 12 April 1938, Page 10

AN ILLUSTRIOUS SHIP

When voyagers on a cruise of the world make harbour anywhere, their welcome is often for themselves alone. Merely casual attention is paid to the vessel in' which they come. It is not so with those aboard the Empress of Britain as she reaches Auckland this morning. They are as fully welcome—with the others of the ship's company, preferring to travel through the island from Wellington—as any previous party of tourists visiting this city. To wish them a happy stay in our midst, and a wholly pleasurable experience in all excursions of sightseeing and quests of diverse personal interest, is no formally polite expression of hospitality. New Zealanders are always genuinely glad to welcome visitors to their shores, and the longer the distance of their journey hither —to this little country tucked away in one of the traditionally four corners of the earth the more fervent the greeting, as a rule : the implied compliment in their coming so far is not lost upon us. But in this instance the ship must have a special and immediate word of greeting, as her passengers will proudly understand. She is herself so notable a visitor that this word is due. The Empress of Britain is the largest world-cruise liner. Only nine liners, and only three British merchant ships, exceed her in tonnage. She is a veritable floating leviathan, majestic in proportions and power. Her arrival, as that of the greatest merchant vessel ever to enter the Waitemata, is no ordinary event for this port. To her, then—and this means to her commander and the entire strength of her personnel—is heartily given honour for her own sake, and for the contribution she makes to our share of maritime history. May her career long be distinguished and prosperous.