H.M.S. NE ZEALAND.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1968, 27 January 1914, Page 6

H.M.S. NE ZEALAND.

RECEPTION ON ARRIVAL HOME. A right royal welcomo homo was tho reception tendered the captain and officers of tho New Zealand by the High Commissioner on behalf of the Government of New Zealand on Tuesday evening (says'the "British Australasian" of December 18). 'Tbe' ; 'Conna , uglit' Rooms, warranted to hold two thousand people, were beautifully decorated with flowers, flags, and Christmas designs, and housed for some three hours a very distinsuished company. The High Commissioner, wlib was in uniform, Mrs. Mackenzie in a beautiful gown of black and white, and Captain Halsey received tho guasts, who passed by in a solid stream for an hour, after which a short programme of music v;as rendered, and two speeches were made, one of heartfelt welcome by Mr. Mackenzie, one of gratitude and appreciation by tho captain of tho New Zealand. Mr. Mackenzie, in tho course of his speech, conveyed tbo message of congratulations to Captain Halsey and his officers, which had been cabled by the New. Zealand Government. Ho gave a few particulars of the New Zealand's cruise, mentioning tho many social engagements connected with it. Captain Halsey, during his trip round tho world, was entertained at over 100 banquets, and made an honorary member of over 150 clubs. Mr. Mackenzie touched oil tho action of tho New Zealand Govern-' ment regarding the offer_of the- Dreadnoughts as a supplement to the Imperial Navy, and added he "could not help thinking that if Mr. Borden had taken the line of action which was adopted by tho New Zealand Government, it would jiavo mot with the same universal responses of tho peoplo which the Now Zealand Government received in connection with its gift.'' Ho concluded by remarking that so long as wo had a First Lord who showed tho : interest, energy, and capacity of Mr. ■ Winston Churchill, supported by the advice aud experience of so trusted and capable a First Sea Lord as. l'rinco Louis of Batten berg, with officers of tho typo of Captain Halsey, and'sticli men as those vfi!o served wider him, thero need be no fear that our naval defences would not bo equal to the responsibility of our far-rcachinc Empire- ■ • Captain Halsoy's was a brief speech of acknowledgment for the Welcome, and thanks to Mr. Mackenzie on behalf of his fellow-otlieers. Amongst those present were: Prince Louis and Princo Georgo of Battenborg, Mrs. Halsey, Lord and Lady Plunkct, the Earl and Countess of Glasgow, Lord Mersey, Viscountess Harrington, Lord Desborough, all tho Agents-General, many Masters of City Companies, and well-known military and naval men. as well as a large number of Ne'w Zcalandcrs.