The Dominion. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 1919. OUR NAVAL NAMESAKE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 278, 20 August 1919, Page 6

The Dominion. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 1919. OUR NAVAL NAMESAKE

When the . battle-cruiser New Zealand visited this country six years ago she was given welcome as befitted a grand type and example of British sea-power. The feelings of interest and regard her visit occasioned were, of course, not a little quickened by the fact that she was a s;ift from this Dominion to the Mother Country. While she retains undiminished every title to vegard that existed in 1913, the associations surrounding her 'present visit are enriched as they never could have been had the intervening, years been marked by unbroken paata. Since: she made her peaceful ro/Qtid of the' Empire six years ago •'die New Zealand has established a fighting record that any capital ship afloat might be proud to bear. From Heligoland onward she: had a part, and gave a gallant account of herself in every action in which capital ships were engaged in the Jfalrth Sea. But even the fighting record of the New Zealand as an individual ship, noteworthy as it is, counts for less than the fact that sh& is a unit of the Grand Fleet which during more than four years of war was the sure shield not alone of the British Empire, but of all the Allied nations. The visit of. the New Zealand is above all Significant because it brings the people of this country into intimate contact, as only such a .visit could, with the mighty Navy to which far more than to any other single factor the 'Allies owed their victory. The people'of New Zea-' land know well what they owe to the Navy, and assuredly will not be slow in seizing such an opportunity as now. offers of manifesting their recognition of a debt, they can never repay. In honouring the New Zealand and extending a hearty welcome to Lord Jellicoe and to the offlcers and men of the battle-cruiser they will honour the Navy to which in the most literal sense thej* owe the continuance of the liberties thev have so long enjoyed under British rule.

• The_ associations which surround the visit of the New Zealand and make it historic are, of course, very much enhanced by the fact that' she <»r T s the flag of the distinguished Admiral who commanded the Grand Fleet in the critical opening stages of the war, and long afterwards, and did not relinquish his command until the great battle had been fought in which Germany's naval pretensions were decisively crushed. Much controversy has raged over the contention that by more,aggressive tactics the German High Sea Fleet might have been utterly destroyed at Jutland. The issue is one over which naval experts arc likely to be for long enough at odds.' The fact stands that the battle in its actual course and outcome was decisive—though, admittedly, its full effects were npt at once apparent—and that Loud Jellicof. is able to look back upon a proud record of achievement in days when the task of the Navy was supremely difficult and exacting. The presence in the Dominion of so able and renowned a naval commander is in itself an event of historic importance and significance.

It is-to be regretted that the visit of the battle-cruiser occurs at time when the Dominion is in som?. rospects rather seriously hampered by internal difficulties. Even on such a great occasion as this the incidental results of coal shortage and the restrictions it necessitates cannot wholly bo set aside.. In the case oi the local welcome to-day good work has been done in somewhat awkward circumstances by those who have the matter in hand, and a fairly effective demonstration ought to result even if the array of steamers and other craft available to meet the fighting ship is less ambitious than could be desired. Given (good weather, the lines of school children along the waterfront will be a bright feature, and it should be an easy matter to provide shelter for the children in some of the wharf sheds in case of rain. In any event there is ■ nothing to prevent a worthy welcome being extended to Admiral Jelucoe and to the -officers, arid men of the battlecruiser. No _ doubt all aboard will appreciate kindly hospitality and entertainment even more than the most spectacular demonstration, and much has already been done by willing workers to ensure that hospitality and entertainment shall not be lacking. If the efforts of these workers arc seconded as Ihe.v should he by the public! the visit of the New Zealand will be an occasion to look back upon with pleasure for many years to come.