H.M.S. NEW ZEALAND

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 5 March 1913, Page 5

H.M.S. NEW ZEALAND

CABLE NEWS

(United Tress Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.)

VISIT TO CAPETOWN". ST!MULAT!NG TIIE SOI'TH AFRICANS. (Received Last Night, 8.10 o'clock.) CAPETOWN, March -1. 1 lie members oi the Automobile Ciub toured the officers of the battleship Nc-w Zealand around Table Mountain. '1 he Government subsequently entertained them at lunch at Constaniia. General J. S. Smuts, Minister of the Interior, presided, and welcomed New Zealand's visit. South Africa, he said, was the first part of the. Empire to begin the policy of presenting a battleship, the cruiser Good Hope being the first outcome. "We don t. get much credit for that in these days," he said. "When hanging hack a. bit, the- credit has gone to other parts of the Empire. South Africa never really had a naval policy; but the subject is coming to the front." Proceeding, General Smuts said that South Africa would have to go qiretly. Even New Zealand had no hxed policy. She presented the Dreadnought, but her Minister of Dei fence was now suggesting that it was preferable to build a navy in conjunction with Australia. New Zealand and Australia .might very well sav they would do their best- to patrol their own seas; but South Africa, happened to be on one of the greatest trade routes. It- was too big a. demand to ask her to be responsible for that. However, there was no reasoti why they should not bear their just and honest share. He was sure South Africa would not hang back- when called on. The New Zealand's visit was most stimulating. Ho hoped to assist in evolving, a policy worthy of South Africa.