The New Zealand Navy Board, of which three members were RN officers, argued the RN view that the RNZN needed a cruiser in the South Pacific and to support the RAN/RN. The point of Royalist from the RN viewpoint was a powerful interim late 1950s medium range AA platform with 30rpm on two channels from 4 twin 5.25. The space and comfort problems were only minimally altered by any economy in the AIO suite or 40mm light AA and reducing to 3 main turrets destroyed the cruisers primary AA value. The cruiser was a RN cruiser on loan, and not renamed "HMNZS "New Zealand"". The UK did not regard the RNZN as an independent force compared to the RAN and RCN. Phipps demanded some improvements and refused on 6/4/56, in front of the Dockyard superintendent and 40 assembled dockyard and Royalist RN/RNZN officers to sign the standard RN D448 release form, accepting the Royalist refit was completed to specified standard, while in command of as an accommodation ship. Phipps finally accept the cruiser three weeks later, after the minimum adjustment; 4 showers added; officers baths removed and minor ventillation improvements.