H.M.S. NEW ZEALAND.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1935, 18 December 1913, Page 5

H.M.S. NEW ZEALAND.

N'AVY league welcome to her OFFICERS. London, December IG. The Navy League gave a luncheon in lionatir of Captain Ilalsey and tlip officers of 11.M.5, New Zealand at tho Hotel Cccil. Mr. R, A. Yerbnrgh, president of tlio Navy League,. presided s aisd. tlio Duke of Norfolk, Lord Hal'sbury, Lord Sydenham, Lord liiyth, and Admirals freniantlc and Mooro were present. Mr. Winston Churchill, First Lord of the Admiralty, said that New Zealand's gift at tiro time of a serious crisis was one of the greatest acts tho far-seeing imagination of any modern State couid claim credit for. In some respects it might be considered an example and forerunner. Mr. Churchill also paid a tribute to Australia's sacrifice and exertions. Tho visit of tlio New Zealand, ho added, would bo an inspiration, particularly as it reinforced tlio general movement, all over the Empire, to participate in a common, scheme of defence. The British Navy not only had to consider Homo interests, hut must gee that tho world's scaroads woro policed and safeguarded. Moreover, tho Empire had only the grcat_ material link of <sea power to weld it effectively into a permanent end enduring whole. Tlio New Zealand's cruise had notably advanced this. Captain Ilalsey, replying, paid a tribute to tho enthusiasm and lo.yalt.v_ of the Boers in their welcome to the New Zealand in South African waters. "Times"—-Sydney "Sun" Special Cables. (Roc. December 17, 5,45 p.m.) London, December 16. Speaking at the banquet to Captain Ilalsey, Mr. Clmrehiil said that, the warship Now Zealand everywhere she had been, had left an impression of manly spirit, fair play, and courtesy. They at tho Admiralty did Weir btat always to assist tho oversea Dominions by gijrinc effect to their universal impulse in the direction of aiding tho Imperial Navy according to their different, means, and ho looked forward with hope and confidence to the assistance Canada would bring. Captain Ilalsey, responding to -the toast of "Tho Captain, Officers, and Ship's Company," testified to the enthusiasm with which lie had everywhere been received. Australia and Now Zen* land : had received them with open arms, Tlio children of the Dominions, ho added, were now beginning to realise, much more than tho children of tho Mother Country, their responsibilities towards tho Empire. I-Io had heard of such things as "cutting iho painter," but his voyago round the E-mpii'o had tausht him that there was no such thing. The jrrojvt.h of a spirit of nationality in tho great Dominions had not destroyed tho sentiment of loyalty to tho Empire, dmfc had rather given that sentiment an increased vigour.