NAVAL PROTECTION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 96, 24 April 1931, Page 12

NAVAL PROTECTION.

EMPIRE'S DEPENDENCE.

FLEET AT LOW STRENGTH. BRITAIN'S LEAD FOR PEACE. "Our main object is ever to keep in mind the supreme importance of adequate naval protection of British subjects and commerce throughout the world. To do thin it is necessary to keep conversant with the relative strength of the world's main navies, and particularly to see that the Imperial Navy, with its several Dominion squadrons, is kept efficient for the protection of our ports and countries and sea routes," said Mr. A. G. Lunn in his presidential address at the annual meeting of the Auckland branch of the Navy League last night. Not Antagonistic to Peace. Answering an outside suggestion that the objects of the league were antagonistic to the stabilisation of peace —the main object of the League of Nations — Mr. Lunn said that there had not been in the history of the world any organisation so conducive to peace as the British Navy had beeu during the years of its undoubted supremacy. To show that the British nation was most desirous of peace, Mr. Lunn instanced the steps taken by Britain at the various conferences for the reduction of na\al armaments. Britain, he said, had led the way, but other nations had not followed. Britain had reduced her strength to such an extent that, in the event of war, it was undeniable that she would not have sufficient cruisers to afford her the necessary protection. Mr. Lunn expressed his high appreciation of the fine service given by the New Zealand Division of the. Navy altei the recent earthquake. Commander E. L. Berthon. D.S.C., H.M.s. Philomel, the guest or . the evening, addressed the meeting on the value of team work, and instanced cases of it in the war period. He observed that the strength of the Navy was at present insufficient to be of real, piactical use in war emergency, and that the number of officers and men in the force was the same as that of the very low period of-1805. Officers Elected. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year:—Patron, Mr. John Alexander, C.M.G.; president, Mr. A. G. Lunn; chairman, Mr. W. J. Connors; executive committees: men's, Messrs. B. W. Beaumont, S. A. Burt, W. J. nors, Crowther, H. T. Goldie, F. S. Little, C. A. Whitney, M. Copcland. H. G. Cornwall, and two more to be added; women, Mesdames R. W. Gallaugher. Glasgow, Streater. M. B. Shera, R. F. Palmer, Misses E. Brown, M. Herrold, E G. Wallace, E. Statham. A. Basten and L. Page; hon. auditor, Mr. A. M. Seaman.