Prime Minister William Massey chose jurist John Salmond to represent New Zealand at Washington. Salmond's biography also records the death of his eldest son, Captain William Guthrie Salmond, in France in July 1918. New Zealand had financed HMS New Zealand but could not supply the personnel and continuing support needed for a ship of that size. It wanted the proposed cruiser squadron while lacking the means to sustain it. The explanation for sending an experienced, eloquent jurist is therefore partly one of limited material bargaining power. Diplomacy had to press the case for naval protection that New Zealand could not provide by itself.
Notable Point · 1:46:06-1:51:19
Why New Zealand relied on Salmond's diplomacy
New Zealand sought a strong Royal Navy while lacking the crews and resources to support a large local squadron.