HEW ZEALAND'S DREADNOUGHT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10195, 3 July 1911, Page 2

HEW ZEALAND'S DREADNOUGHT.

THE LAUNCHING CEREMONY. EULOGISTIC SPEECHES. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—(Jopyrigiit. (Received July 3, 8.5 a.m.) LONDON, July 3. Eight thousand persons witnessed the launching of the Dreadnought New Zealand at the Fairfield W orlts, Glasgow. Lady Ward performed the christening ceremony. The guests included Sir Ernest Morris (Premier of Newfoundland), Sir Jamc9 and Lady Mills, Mrs R. J. Seddon, Miss Seddon, Mr Palliser, Sir William Russell and a large contingent of New Zealand visitors. Lady Ward cut the cord, saying "I name you the New Zealand.'"' As the vessel glided into the water she added, " God protect her. May she never be called upon to engage in battle, but if otherwise, I pray the victory may be hers." Sir Joseph Ward, in a speech, expressed the hope that those present realised as he did the launch as a proof that the peoples of Britain and the dominions overseas were one in ambition, one in sentiment, of one kith and kin. The launch of the vessel helped them to realise that there could be no division when the time of trial came. The people of New Zealand had found the money unmurmuringly, knowing that the defence of any port of the Old World was their defence. Mr Gracie, representing the builders, said the vessel wa an emphatic token of Now Zealand's loyalty and devotion. Ho presented Lady Ward with a casket containing the axe with which she had cut the cord. Sir Joseph Ward, speaking at the reception which followed, said the overseas visitors wished it to be recognised that they were partners with the Motherland in the strictest sense. Although the Conference had been unable to accept the idea of an Imperial Council, the cementing progrfess was proceeding, and necessity was growing for some sort of council of defence above party, and clear of local necessities at Home and abroad. Lord Plunket said the vessel just launched was not merely a. warship, but the embodiment of a new epoch in naval history. He bore testimony to the fine Imperial spirit of New Zealanders. Like Australia, New Zealand was not afraid to compulsorily train her sons in military service. Sir Joseph Ward handed a copper plaque from the colleges and schools of New Zealand to the Fairfield Company.