THE NEW ZEALAND.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 32, 6 February 1913, Page 5

THE NEW ZEALAND.

• THE KING’S VISIT. “OF DEEP HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE.’’ rßy Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) Press Association.) London, February o. The are giving prominence to the King’s visit to the New Zealand battleship, in a number of long leaders. The Daily Mail says that the visit is of deep historic significance. “The vessel,” it says, “is a living proof that we have great allies in our kindred overseas. New Zealand’s example is bearing splendid fruit, but the dominion’s generosity has in no wise diminished the need for British exertion. If only five battleships are built in 1913 we shall not maintain the 60 per cent, margin.” The Morning Post says that New Zealand set the movement on train, and it bids fair to culminate in the organisation of a great defensive league between the self-governing States of the Empire. The growth of nationality gives the sentiment of loyalty to the Empire more vigour and purpose. Experience will show the best machinery to provide'united action. The Express says the King’s visit puts the seal on a development which lias completely changed British «ea power. “A TETHER STRONGER THAN DEATH.” 1 e London, February 5. Referring to the King’s inspection of the New Zealand, the Pall Mall Gazette says‘.‘What an occasion for the monarch, captain, midshipman, bluejackets and marines aboard. The vessel was a freewill offering from the most distant Dominion, a sign and a symbol of a tether stronger than death, binding the distant lands of the British Commonwealth. The New Zealand goes to greet the South Africans, Australians, and Canadians in the name of their New Zealand brethren.” | MOTHER COUNTRY’S LARGEHEARTEDNESS. (Received 10.20 a.m.) The Sydney Daily Telegraph says: “The Empire’s grateful recognition of New Zealand’s action in presenting a battle .cruiser is another example of the large-hearted manner in which the Colonies are treated in the Mother Country. We have just as much at stake upon Britain retaining the Command of the Sea as any other portion of the Empire, yet when action is to be taken to show we realise justice—not to speak of the .policy.of taking, a. share of the burden belonging to us—British public opinion expresses itself as if we were conferring some favour on the Empire, winch would willingly have gone on providing our 'defence whether we ditl ü br not in strengthening the arm of the Empire in the North Sea. We are simply making provision pro tanto for our own safety—an eminently practical tiling to do, but that it involved any special, display of altruistic-spirit which one might imagine from the comments of some sections of the British press, it is somewhat difficult to discern.”