N.Z. HONOURED

Camp News, Volume 2, Issue 90, 19 September 1941, Page 3

N.Z. HONOURED

Change In Designation Of Naval Forces

THE PREFIX “ROYAL”

Approval Of His Majesty

The King

1 An announcement that the Kt ng had approved of the New Zealand naval forces being given the distinction of the name Royal NewZealand Navy and of the ships being designated His Majesty’s , New Zealand ships was made by the acting-Prime Minister, Mr. Nash, in the House of Representatives

Mr, Nash said that His Majesty's advisers in New Zealand, after discussion with the United Kigdom Government and after learning that no objection on their part would be raised, inquired of His Majesty the King during the recent visit to Great Britain of the Prime- Minister, Mr. Fraser, whether His Majesty would feel disposed to accord to the New Zealand Naval Forces the distinction of the name Royal New Zealand Navy, and to ap prove of the *term His Majesty’s New Zealand Ships to designate the ships of those Forces. .

“I am glad to be able to announce,” continued Mr. Nash, “that His Majesty lias been graciously pleased to give his approval to the proposal. An Order in Council to give formal effect to the proposal will accordingly be laid before his Excellency the Governor-Gen eral in Council at an early date, and thereupon the Royal New Zealand Navy will become the official designation of the Naval Forces, and a ship belonging to the Royal New Zealand Navy will be described as His Maj esty’s New Zealand Ship.

“I think we shall all be glad to associate ourselves with the recognition of the war services of, our Naval Forces which this honour implies, covering not only the loan personnel trained i-n the Royal Navy,' to whom we owe so much, but also those officers and men who entered the service as New Zea landers and of whom the service nt the present time predominantly consists.”