H.M.S. NEW ZEALAND.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 375, 5 July 1911, Page 5

H.M.S. NEW ZEALAND.

LAUNCHED BY LADY WARD. London, July 2. Eight thouusand witnessed the launch of H.M.S. New Zealand at the Fairfield works, Glasgow. Lady Ward performed the christening ceremony. The guests included Sir Edward Morris, Premier of Newfoundland, Sir Jas. Mills, Mrs and MissSeddon, Mr C. Wray Palliser, Sir Wm. and Lady Russell, and a large contingent of New Zealand visitors. Lady Ward cut the cord and released the huge hull, saying, "I name you New Zealand" as the vessel glided to the water, and added: "God protect her, may she never be called upon to engage in battle; but if otherwise, I pray that victory may be hers." Sir Joseph Ward, in a speech, hoped that those present realised, as he did, that the launch was proof that the peoples of Britain and of Britain oversea were one in ambition, one in sentiment, one kith in kin. The launch helped them to realise that there could be no division when the time of trial came. The peopleof New Zealand found the money unmurmuringly, knowing that the defence of any part of the Old World was their defence.

Mr Gracie,representing the builders, said the vessel was an emphatic token of New Zealand's loyalty and devotion. He presented Lady Ward with a casket containing the axe with which she had severed the cord. Sir Joseph Ward, speaking at the subsequent reception, said that the overseas Dominions wshed to be recognised as partners with the Motherland in the strictest sense. Although the Conference wai uable to accept the ideaß of a Imperial Council, the cemeting progress was proceeding, and the necessity was growing for some Council of Defence above party and clear of local necessities at Home and abroad. Lord Plunket, ex-Governor of New Zealand, stated that they had launched not merely a warship, but the embodiment of a new epoch in naval history. He testified to the fine imperial spirit of New Zealanders, who, like Australians, were not afraid of compulsoriy training their sons to military service. Sir Joseph Ward handed a copper plaque from the colleges and schools of New Zealand to the Fairfield Company.