THE NAVY LEAGUE.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14983, 2 June 1914, Page 9

THE NAVY LEAGUE.

AND POLITICAL ACTION.

At a meeting ot tno executive of the Otago branch of the Navy League on Friday afternoon a letter was read from the hon. secretary of the Canterbury branch (Captain Treleaven), in which | the Otago branch was asked to give an opinion on the following resolutions that had been approved by the Christchurch committee: —"That the New Zealand Government should make further representation to the British Admiralty to keep New Zealand provided with two modern cruisers. New Zea'aud to pay for the entire upkeep of these aud man same as far as possible. The British Government to withdraw the four obsolete cruisers for which €100,000 ncr annum is now being paid," '-That this meeting views with pleasure the proposal of the Government for tho training of officers and men for the British Navy, but is of opinion that the time is not yet ripe fr>r building warships for New Zealand." ••That thus _u-_ting affirms the desirability of reopening negotiations with the British Admiralty with t he object of having two ships of tiic Bristol or later class stationed in New Zealand waters.'-'

Tlie Christchurch communication further said:—•'•'At the present lime there is a danger oi" the question of naval defence being made a party cry in New fieaiand, and, since tho Navy League is non-poiitical, it might he a* well it the Navy League in New Zealand made a pronouncement on this question. There are several questions of material iinoortaiir. now beforo the public of New and there cannot be much doubt that the time is ntx- for the Navy League to make a definite pronouncement of policy. My committee is of opinion that it, is essential that :i conference of the various branches should be held at the earliest possible moment, so that representation can be made to I arliament when it is in session. I am instru-ted to suggest that a conference should bo hold in Wellington during June or July, and that oven- effort -■hoiilri be made to havo the'variou. b'-anehes of the league represented. If srjmeibing l:k_ this cannot he done, hit -onimittee feels that tho league wiii r »il to justify ltt existence. I hope that your branch will take up the matter rj. once, and then th« league may be able to show that it is a domi-iat inz factor ou the question of naval -elf-nee in this Dom ; nion." The secretary of tho Otaso branch Mr Darling'i replied as follows :—"The n tago branch nareos that the Navy T/e-'-iio .shou'd bo kent free irom party noliti"s. therefore it docs not propose to offer an o-vnion on what tbe Onvernmoni should or sl-ouid not.do in its ""f-otiat'ons w'-t.h Admiralty. ! The in;.i- -•-:•..<• ■■<■ -v- -*- r.« a £_ e j -■>. New Zealand are, wo consider: < I That all citi_.-1. .... , . :I .is shn™ 1 f 'oel a living iut<--rcst in mairitainiuor the f-'ipre'nacy of the navy, and (2) that \ho rhhiz generation shall be educated into a true nntriotism and should know rjontothing or the work and history of the navy. Wo think our ifiorts in this direction hive not proved unsuccessful. We respectfully disagree with the statement that the time is rirv. for the Nftvv League to make a pronouncement of polk-v. nor do wo that the league is'callel 'inon to submit a po'icv to Parliament. Wo shall be pleased to appoint d«le~ates to attend a conference at WelI'ucto-. but we cannot a<zree that unless sifh conference is held and a naval "oli'-y formulated the leao-Me will fa : l to iustiry its exi*t«»"oo. Thy; branch, at has justified it* e*-i-tence by its educational work, wl.-ch has ob- < ned ,; - the complimentary approval of T_d;ieation Board authorities. s"hoo--ommi'ttees. rectors, principals, headT na«tei"s. teachers, and parents. - Invl™v.. the school membership ''2700* of this bf">oh. is in ."-.w'f. in our opinion, a sufficient justifbation of fts existence. I _ni further instructed to send a -!opv of this; oommunication to the secretaries of the vnnmis Dominion branohes, and also to the press. "

i