H.M.S NEW ZEALAND.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 86, 18 April 1913, Page 2

H.M.S NEW ZEALAND.

KJvit |" I ' • 3 i I - I:. > r. K.il .if. r, ■ Its ' i ;——- i jt i:n | [Pee Press Association.] , Wellington*, April 17., Replying to a toast at the New Zealand Club dinner to-day, Captain Halsey said their cruise so far had rhsen the inpst. interesting had tak’Sii;' 1 lie refejjj) to New Zealand, ior thqy .already seen the magnificent welcome had been given to the. ship,, a,pd they; , knew what they were in for. He rq-, referred to the magnificent reception to them in South Africa, and asked : Why \yas that given? Entirely out of:admiration for what the. people in New ■Zealand had done for the Empire, and very rightly, too. They Realised, as the people in England.realised, that New' Zealand in coming forward at such a time as she did were pioneers of the great movement that had taken place since, and that movement showed our enemies that they had to think twice before they attacked Great Britain, that they w r ere attacking a united Empire, and in doing that New Zealand did something grand. They were preserving the peace of the world. (Applause.) “I am perfectly sure I am right,” he continued, “and I am quite sure I am justified in saying this: that your magnificent gift to the Empire has been the cause of preserving the peace of the world up to now.” <Renewed applause). He read foreign newspapers and it was on the fctrength of their comments that he said what he did. WELLINGTON’S WELCOME.

Very large numbers of people visited H.M.S. New Zealand to-day, including the city and suburban school children and some from the country. A Rugby football team from the warships played an Oriental Club fifteen, and were beaten by 28 to 14.

About two hundred men journeyed by special train to Featherston, where they were loyally entertained. The only other incidents of note were the entertainment of Captain Halsey and the officers at lunch by the New Zealand Club, and the presentation of a photograph of Sir Joseph Ward to the ship.

ABOARD THE SHIP,

Wellington, April 18. The New r Zealand proved an irresistible attraction to the school children. Daily the ship is, thronged with thousands of youngsters. The Government is doing everything possible. Country children should see the warship. The city schools have nearly all been aboard, and the country are now' having their turn. Children from as far north as Wanganui will come to-morrow'. Monday will see the last of these excursions. The sailors have been the models of courtesy in attending the children. This afternoon members of the Government are entertaining Captain Halsey and the officers at luncheon. Many Parliamentarians will be prescut."