EMPIRE DEFENCE.

Auckland Star, Volume 55, Issue 63, 14 March 1924, Page 3

EMPIRE DEFENCE.

NEW ZEALAND'S PART. PREMIER MEETS DEPUTATION. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. Replying to a deputation from the Executive of the Navy League whicii waited on him to-day to place before him resolutions passed at the recent conference of the League at Auckland, Mr. Massey said: "J am very glad that the Navy League continues to exist. So far as I am able to judge it seems to be more vigorous than it was some years ago. lam very pleased that such is the ease, because I realise the importance of the navy to the existence of the Empire and to the protection of our mercantile marine during war periods."' Referring to tbe subjects touched on by the deputation, Mr. Massey said that as far as air was concerned, he was not satisfied with what was being done in England and New Zealand up to the present. In justice to the British Government he would say improvement had taken place and that the Government seemed to be devoting a certain amount of attention to bringing the air force up-to-dcte. He did not imagine for a moment that the air force was going to take the place of the Royal navy, but would be supplementary to it and the army. Regarding Singapore the people of New Zealand knew where he stood in the matter, but he could not say more on the subject until something more was done at Home. After expressing a hope that more should be done in the way of propaganda amon-st children in the teaching of British history, the Prime Minister referred to the subject of recruiting for the New Zealand division of the navy. He stated that recruiting was now more satisfactory than it had been. As to showin" children from all over the country over the Hood and Repulse, whicii could only berth at Wellington and Auckland, Mr.'Massey said it was a bi<- thin". It would be impossible to get school children from all over New Zealand to Wellington and Auckland, but the Government would do its duty. The matter was coming before Cabinet.