H.M.S. NEW ZEALAND.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 112, 3 July 1911, Page 5

H.M.S. NEW ZEALAND.

■y. LAUNCHED AT GLASGOW. H ■ By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. United Press Association. London, .July 1. w The Acting-Prime Minister, Sir J. Carroll, yesterday despatched the following cable to Sir J. G. Ward, Bart.: —‘‘New Zealand Dreadnought, Glasgow.—The people of Now Zealand, your colleagues and myself are with you in spirit to-day on this great occasion. New Zealand wishes her gift namesake, as she leaves the ways on a mission of peace, to be the emblem of the sentiment moving the Domin- , ions overseas to concerted action. May she long remain an important unit of an invincible navy to police tho seven seas, and guard the pathways of the Empire’s commerce. To the navy and the people of the Motherland, we send greetings. Ake. ake, kia kaha.—J. Carroll.”' ' , To this tho Acting-Prime Minister has received tho following reply: “The New Zealand launched to-day*. There was a great gathering of people, including a large number of Zealanders. She is a magnincont snip. I read your cable, and it was much appreciated.—Ward, Glasgow.’’ (Received 3, 8.5. a.in.) London, July 2. Eight thousand witnessed the launch of the New Zealand at J airfield works, Glasgow. Lady Ward performed the christening ceremony, and there was a largo contingent of New Zealand visitors present. Lady Ward, in pulling the cord, said; “I name you ‘New Zealand.’ ” As the .vessel glided into the water she added: “God protect her. May she never be called to engage in battle; but if otherwise, I pray that victory may be hers;” Sir “Joseph Ward, in a speech, said h© hoped those present would i cal me as he did, that tho launch ‘>as pi oof of the loyalty of the voople in Britain’s overseas dominions —me ambition, one sentiment, one kith and kin. The launch helped them to realise that there could be no division when the time of trial came. The people of New Zealand found the money unmurmuringly, showing iliat the defence of ' any part of the Old World was their defence. Mr Grade, representing ihe mufflers, said the vessel was an emphatic token of New Zealand’s loyalty and devotion. He presented uady Ward with a casket containing an axe. Sir Joseph Ward, speaking at a reception to overseas visitors, wished it to be recognised that ificy v.eie partners with the Motherland in the strictest sense. Although the Conference was unable to accept the idea of an Imperial Council, the cementing progress was proceeding, and the necessity was growing for some council of defence above party,, and clear of local necessities at Home and abroad. Lord Plunket stated that the New Zealand had been launched not merely as a warship, but as the embodiment of a new epoch in naval history. He testified to the fine Imperial spirit of New Zealanders. Like Australians, they were not afraid to compulsorily train their sons in military service.Sir Joseph Ward handed a copper plaque from the colleges and schools of New Zealand to their Fairfield Co.