ESSAY COMPETITION

Hokitika Guardian, 18 June 1926, Page 1

ESSAY COMPETITION

(Third Prize by "Clover,”) The Historic Side of the British Court as Referring to the Freedom Enjoyed in New - Zealand To-day. As I wandered through the British Court of the Dunedin Exhibition, I realized how majestic the British Empna is, and how proud New Zealand must he. to be under its protection. ■I found my way to a section, where crowds of people were attracted by numerous ancient and modern ships, Representing those which were used for fighting, fur navigation, and for trading. By exploring in these ships, explorers discovered new lands, including New Zealand, and extended the British Empire.

Obviously these ships were used more for lighting in later years, because the oldest ones wen • built with little or no fighting deck, while the fighting deck was an important part of those of the latter part of the nineteenth toutin'}’, and finally the modern ships, the best of which was the. “Hood,” were built entirely for the purpose or fighting.

Those ships have defended New Zealand from wars, not liy actually fighting for New Zealand, but merely by existing. It is through fear of the British Navy that other nations have not attempted to conquer New Zealand, so that, if the British Navy did not exist, many attempts would have been made to seize the Dominion. Close by these models of ships, there was a huge map of the world with a number of tiny boats sailing from the large ports of call for the. various trade routes. On the wall above this map was a postergraph describing the places on the map, which were indicated bv small electric bulbs.

The little trading vessels called at New Zealand (from several ports) and then, they found their way hack to Great Britain as well as other important countries of the world. This shows us that New Zealand carries on oxtenive trade with the United Kingdom, and must be a prosperous country.

Leaving the ships I caught sight of some tiny aeroplanes and 1 hastened to inspect them. During the Great AYar the soldiers did not fear going: up in aeroplanes as people did in times of ]»are, because it was their duty, so they did it. The British Air Force, then, took no little part in the Great War. Among the most interesting of tlv? oxhibts in tlie British Court, were the ingenious inventions of Arkwright and Crompton. It seemed incredible to me, that these apparently useless pieces of machinery could have meant so much to a giv’at: nation.

After various improvements they were introduced into New Zealand, so that, to-day, instead of long, strenuous hours of labour, we have more work done in less time.. a tlic hulk of it being done by machinery. Day after day, during all these years when trains have been running, and towns have been, connected up by rail. 1 did not stop to think of the value and wonder of the railway service, until the sight of George Stevenson’s locomotive at the Exhibition showed me what the engines have grown from.

What a tremendous problem communication must have been a hundred years ago! It seems almost absurd that the huge powerful engines of to-day have been dcvloped from such a queer-looking locomotive as that of George Stevenson, which was exhibited in the British Court.

Though we young folk have not experienced travelling in the olden, days, there is many a person who can look back to the times when it took two long, weary days to go from Hokilikto Christchurch, while now, by means of the trains, that same journey ■ rai he done in eight hours.

Realizing that there was much more to Ik? scon I loft the locomotive and I was immediately attracted by some large paintings of Kings and Queens. These were paintings of Kings, who have protected New Zealand, and have given her the rights and freedom of I lie British flag. They have made New Zealand a prosperous country—by encouraging her to make herself prosperous—and finally, they have given her the right io govern hereslf. so to-day. New Zealand enjoys the freedom of self-Government and the protection of the British Empire.