H.M.S NEW ZEALAND.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1657, 25 January 1913, Page 5

H.M.S NEW ZEALAND.

COAT OF ARMS PRESENTED.

"AN IMPERIAL MISSION."

By Tolegraph—Press Association—CopyrieM

London, January 23,

The battleship New Zealand was yesterday officially inspected at Portsmouth by a party of New Zealanders prior to her departure on her cruise to New Zealand.' ''

. Among those present were Mr. Herbert .Samuel' (Postmastor-Gpneral), Mr. Alfred lyttelton (a former Colonial Secretary), Sir William Ellison-Macartney (GovernorDesignate of Tasmania), • the Hon. T. Mackenzie (High. Commissioner for Now Zealand), and many members; of the House of Commons, A replica of the New Zealand coat of arma was presented to the officers during the visit on behalf of New Zealanders in London. , ,

The Secretary of State for the Colonics, Mr. Lewis Harcourt, who presided, referred to the approaching departure of Now Zealand's Dreadnought.on what might bo 'called 7 an Imperial mission. ■

' • Sir Joseph Ward, : in reply to'an invitation, from the Overseas Club to participate in the. function, wroto that, tho formation of a Defence Committee yraa : a step .forward, , but it wa9 not enough. British 'statesmanship should .evolve on Empire Parliament to deal with Imperial questions. . .' Provided there was a strong, irresistible navy, New Zealand was now in a position to defend herself from raiders. . -1 ■■■■■■'■ ■ ■ : His Majesty tho .King will inspect tho battleship New Zealand prior to her de- . parturo. -■ : ■ , DATE OF DEPARTURE. CPeo. January 24, 10.45 p.m.) London, January 24.' ■ The King will'inspect the New Zealand i on February- 5, and the vessel will sail for New Zealand on February 6.