THE NEW ZEALAND

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1446, 22 May 1912, Page 7

THE NEW ZEALAND

THE GIFT CRUISER'S STATION. JOINS NORTH SEA FLEET. DOMINION'S SPLENDID PATRiOTISM By Tcietraph-Pi'csa Associalion-CopjriEUt. (Rec. May 21, 0 p.m.) London, May 21. The Admiralty announce that as «i result of the Government's communications, New Zealand has expressed a wish that the battleship New Zealand be employed where her. services would be most useful. The cruiser Defence to reinforce the China. Squadron in place of the New Zealand. Tho Admiralty has decided that the New Zealand shall visit tho Dominion early in 1013, and then join the first cruiser squadron of the first fleet, The "Daily Mail" says that the retention of the New Zealand in" homo waters is the first result of the German Navy Act. The splendid patriotism of tho New Zealand people, and their eagerness to take their full part in Imperial defence was .proved by the gift of the battleship, and now shown by the unselfish offer to meet the new developments in the North Sea. ONE EMPIRE, ONE FLAG, ONE FLEET, A SPLENDID ACT OF SACRIFICE. (Rec. May 21, 11.35 p.m.) London, May 21. The "Daily Telegraph" says that New Zealand, by this latest act lias set the seal on tlio Imperial ideal of one Empire. 1 one flag, one fleet, and the decision has the greatest significance and promise. This splendid act of sacrifice is .made by a people numbering less than tho population of Liverpool or Manchester. It is the Dominion's response to tho renewed menace to Britain's naval supremacy, though the New Zealand was built for service in the Pacific and the more immediate protection of New Zealand. The "Daily Express" refers to New Zealand's patriotic action.

OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE,

Official confirmation o£ tlio news pub- | lished in The Dominion moro •than, a, month ago to the effect that the New Zealand "gift Dreadnought" would be attachod to tho Homo instead of being ,thc flagship of the China Station, came yesterday in a "Nov,* Zealand Gazette supplement, containing tho following interesting dispatches :— The Hon. the Prime Minister, Wellington. .April 18, Wl2. Memorandum.—l have received the following telegram from the Right Hon. tho Secretary of Stato for tho Colonies:— "In the event of increases to the naval programmes of European Powers being announced, a» now seems imminent and likely, interests of British naval supremacy would make it desirable that battle cruiser _ Now Zealand should, instead of serving in. China, be appointed to Homo Fleet for service in North Sea, where aiono she could be matched against vessels of her size aad quality. If your tioyernment approve cf this arrangement. Admiralty will send at once armoured cruiser Defence, sister to tho Minotaur, to the China. Station, thus effectively securing British preponderance in tlioso seas, and will arrango that the New Zealand should visit Dominion in October to make a three months' stay including Christmas, 1812, in New Zealand ports before taking up her duties with the Home Fleet.—Harcourt." ISLINGTON, Governor, His Excellency tho Governor, Auckland. April 20, 1912. Government, approves of proposals > contained in telegram from Secretary of Stato for tho Cslotiieh and considers that H.M.S. New Zealand should be stationed where Home Government consider her services of tho most ValU °' THOMAS MACKENZIE, Prime Minister.' The Hon. the Prime Minister, Wellington. 6 May 8, 1912. Memorandum. —I have received the following telegram dated May 4 from the Right Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies "His Majesty's Government desire me to convey" through you to your Ministers our deep gratitude and high appreciation of patriotic action of New Zealand Government in accepting so readily tho suggestion of Admiralty in the interest of tho Empiro at large.—Harcourt." ISLINGTON, Governor. The Defence, which is to to the flagship of tho China squadron, is an armoured ship of 14,G00 tons displacement, launched in 1907, and capable of a speed of 23.5 knots. Her armament consists of four 9.2-inch guns, ten T.S-incli, and sixteen 12-poundevs, and five machine guns.