H.M.S. NEW ZEALAND

Evening Post, Volume LXXXV, Issue 32, 7 February 1913, Page 7

H.M.S. NEW ZEALAND

THE KING'S VISIT NO POMP AND CEREMONY. By Telegraph.— Press Aesoolttioa.— Copyright, LONDON, 6th February. There was a complete absence of pomp and ceremony in , connection with the King's visit to the battleship New Zealand. Hia Majesty first inspected the bakery and examined the white bread. He recalled how, when he was first at sea, the bluejacketa had to pufc up with weevily biscuits and maggoty flour. The King then inspected the hydraulic loading for the twelve-inch guns, which works at the rate of three rounds a minute. Engineer-Commander Turner also showed the new machinery in the engine-room. On seeing the mauve, white, and green upholstering in the gun-room His Majesty remarked that it was more like a lady's boudoir than a gun-room. This led to general laughter when someone pointed out that the upholstery was in the suffragette colours. The crew introduced the ship's mascot, a bull pup named Pelorus Jack. The King was .photographed beneath the shield bearing the New Zealand arms. His Majesty afterwards inspected the Iron Duke, the George the Fifth, and the Queen Elizabeth, the latter of which is as yet an insrt mass of ribs and plates. He then visited the floating dock and the latest submarine. The Daily Telegraph saya the King's inspection was no empty formality for a practical sailor is now the inheriter of the wardenship of the seven seas. The New Zealand is an emblem of • a new era, the first gift of the daughter-lands to the Navy, on which every Imperial interest depends. The vessel is a source of jTide to every Englishman, and the subject ot amazement to those who thought to wrest Britain's aea supremacy. The New Zealand will carry British ideals of efficiency around tho globe, and she will be charged with the aspirations of the Empire, which is searching for means of translating the proverb that union is strength into terms that the world will understand. OFFEB TO DEFER THE VISIT.. NO STRATEGICAL NECESSITY TO DO SO. (Received February 7, 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, 6th February. With Mr. Massey's concurrence, the Hon. James Allen has offered the Admiralty to defer the visit of the New Zealand if the time is unsuitable. Mr. Harcourt (Secretary of State for the Colonies) has replied thanking Mr. Allen for tho offer, "but there are no strategical or political necessities to prevent the carrying out of the world's tour." RESENTMENT IN AUSTRALIA. COMPARISONS MADE. THE ART OF~ADVERTISING. (Received February 7, 10.55 a.m.) .MELBOURNE, This Day. There is some feeling of resentment in official quarters because so much comment has arisen over the inspection of the battle-cruiser New Zealand, and references in the English press to this being the first start on the part of the overseas Dominions to build their own fleet units. It is questioned here whether the decision of New Zealand to build a battleship, or even the earlier tift of a Dreadnought, was really the rst step in that direction in Australasia. It is suggested, rather, that Australia should be given the credit for having led the colonies in that Imperial movement. ' It luw been remarked among Defence authorities that the cruiser Melbourne left Britain only the otlter day fully manned by an Australian crew, and that there was no such demonstration on the occasion of her departure as was made in connection with the inspection of the New Zealand, nor was there any similar celebration when either of the Australian destroyers left England. The inference drawn is that there are officials of Australia who are not co learned in the art of advertising as those of the sister colony. NEW ZEALAND SAILS. (Received February 7, 11 a.m.) LONDON, 6th February. Tbe New Zealand. has sailed on her tour.