NEW ZEALAND’S DREADNOUGHT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 1013, 4 July 1911, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND’S DREADNOUGHT.

LAUNCHED BY LADY WARD. London, July 2. Eight thousand witnessed the launching of the Dreadnought New Zealand at the Fairfield works, Glasgow. Lady Ward performed the christening ceremony. The guests included Mr Morris, Premier of New Foundland, Sir James Mills, Mrs and Miss Seddon, Mr Palliser, Sir Wm. and Lady Russell and a large contingent of New Zealand visitors. Lady Ward cut the cord, saying : “ I name you New Zealand,” as the vessel glided into the water, and added: ‘‘God protect her. May she never be called to engage in battle, but if so we pray that victory may be hers. Sir Joseph Ward, in a speech, hoped those present would realise as be did that the launching of the Dreadnought was proof that the peoples of Britain and those of the Overseas Dominions were one in ambition, one in sentiment and one in kith and kin. The launching helped them to realise that there could be no division when the time of trial came. The people of New Zealand found the money unmurmuringly, knowing that the defence of any part of the Old World was their defence. Mr Grade, representing the builders, said the vessel was an emphatic token of New Zealand’s loyalty and devotion. He presented Lady Ward with a casket containg an axe. Sir Joseph Ward, speaking at the reception to the overseas visitors, wished it to be recognised that they were partners with the Motherland in the strictest sense. Although the Imperial Conference bad been unable to accept the idea of the Imperial Council, thus cementing the progress of the proceedings, the necessity was growing for some Council of Defence above party and clear of local necessities at Home and abroad. Lord Plunket said 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 the New Zealanders. Like Australia they were not afraid to compulsorily train their sons tor military service. Sir Joseph Ward handed a copper plaque from the colleges and schools of New Zealand to the Fairfield Company.