THE GIFT SHIP

Evening Post, Volume LXXXV, Issue 29, 4 February 1913, Page 7

THE GIFT SHIP

NEW ZEALANDERS INSPECT HE* COAT-OF-ARMS UNVEILED SPEECHES BY MESSRS. MACKENZIE AND ALLEN, „ By Telejt»ph.-Pr«B Airo&ltUon.-O&pyrlih*! (Received February 4, 11 a.m.) „,» LONDON, 3rd February.' ,. Three hundred New Zealanders in« spected the battleship New Zealand at Portsmouth. Sir George Reid, High Commissioner for Australia, was absent owing to influenza. Among those present were Mr. J. Cathcart Wason, M.P. (for^ merly of New Zealand), and Admiral Sir Wilmot Fawkes (a former Commander.ift't Chief on the Australian Station). Miss Mackenzie, daughter of the HonV, Thomas Mackenzie (High Commissioney for New Zealand) unveiled a, coatof-aroig which supported a tablet inscribe "T&sman, 1642 5 Cook, 1769." The Hon. Thomas M&ekenfcie said h» ! was proud New Zealand had led th& way in regard to gift battleships. Ho referred to the Australian end Canadiat) assistance to the Empire, and said ha hoped South Africa would soon follow tli« example of those countries. New Zealand was anxious thftt the Empire 1 * Navy should be equal to any challenge ;i she wanted Britain to feel that she was with her to the extent of her ability. , Captain Halsey, commanding the New; Zealand, m/ accepting the coat'Of-armß and tablet, congratulated New Zealand on being the first to give the Empire a ship. He trusted if ever the battleship was called on to perform the duty fo» which she had been built that, the crew would maintain the honour placed in its • hands. "•• i The Hon. James Allen, New Zealand. Defence Minister, said New Zealand would cheerfully civo' further help. 1 She meaht to Bee the Pacific safe. He hopeti other countries there would combine t^ make it co. New Zealand would not be> satisfied until she was able to providemen as well as money and ships. Sir Richard Solomons, High Commits' >Bioner for South Africa, congratulated New Zealand on her practical loyalty. A visit of the battleship to Table Bay. would help South Africa's growing feel* mg in the direction of co-operation. A silver cup for boat crew competitions and a portrait of the late Mr. R, JT. Seddon were presented to the ship on' Mrs. Seddon's behalf.