OUR GIFT SHIP

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8613, 26 December 1913, Page 4

OUR GIFT SHIP

It is worth noting that the 1913 volume of the Official Year-book contains a special article on H.M.S. New Zealand, written by Mr W. E. Spencer, editor of the “School Journal. In view of tho undoubted fact that political capital was made by tho Tories out of Sir Joseph Ward’s masterly act of courage and patriotism in offering tho battleship to tho Mother Country, on behalf of the people of New Zealand, the appearance of an appreciative article in an official publication, issued under instructions from the Government, is at least significant. Mr Spencer opens by explaining how in 1908 and 1909 “the greatly increased activity in the Continental naval dockyards, and tho rapid construction of modern warships of the Dreadnought type, rendered the programme of naval construction mapped out by tho Home Government inadequate to secure the desirable margin of safety when the relative, strength of our own and foreign navies came to be considered. The situation was causing uneasiness among British statesmen, and throughout tho Empire it was felt that, to retain our supremacy at sea and to safeguard our immense commercial interests, the overseas dominions should take upon themselves greater responsibilities in regard to the navy, and make every effort and sacrifice to maintain its relative strength and efficiency.” Then it is related how the Ward Government offered to present a battleship, or two if necessary, and how gratefully the offer was received by tho Home Government. A detailed description is given of tho warship and of her great world-wide cruise. Concerning the latter Mr Spencer says: — “Viewing tho visit of H.M.S. New Zealand in the retrospect, it is impossible to doubt the wisdom that prompted and planned her world-wide tour. Not only at the ports called at before she reached Now Zealand, but also at ports she visited after leaving our shores, she roused tho keenest interest and gave a stimulus to tho recognition of Imperial responsibilities. For New Zealanders generally she, of courko, possessed a special interest, and the educative value of the visits of thousands of school-children can scarcely be overestimated. It was not until she arrived that the people of the Dominion fully realised the full significance and import of their gift to the Homeland. It was known that she would be a masterpiece of naval architecture and construction, with all the attributes and equipment requisite for offence and defence, and as such would be a vessel of which New Zealanders might justly feel proud. Yet pride was probably the feeling that least "prevailed, and where it did exist at all it was lost in the profound appreciation of the fact that tho New Zealand’s visit brought ns in touch with conditions not previously fully'realised, and drew us nearer to the Homeland in a way such as the visit of no other warship or fleet of warships could have done." And thus is the Liberal leader justified.