NAVY LEAGUE PRESIDENT'S WARNING.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14993, 13 June 1914, Page 11

NAVY LEAGUE PRESIDENT'S WARNING.

References to the German shipping invasion of Now Zealand were made last night at tho quarterly meeting of tho Navy Leaguo by the president (Mr J. J. Dougall). In thanking Colonel Andrew for his address on "National Wars," Mr Dougall said that when nations went to war they generally did so irrespective of whether they wero right or wrong. Each nation considered itself in tho right, and pursued tho ideal of the moment. At the present time thero was ono potential power in existence, namely, Gormany, which threatened British commercial supremacy. Recent cable messages had ahnouncod tho fact that the German mercantile marine would shortly be established in tho "New Zealand tradeThis was a commercial invasion of Now Zealand by the German nation, which, apart from its efforts to outrival British naval supremacy, had now challenged tho British mercantile marine in tho various avenue of tho world's trade. It might be said that he had no right as president of tho Navy League, to refer to the German mercantile marine, and that, strictly speaking, commerce was outside the scope of tho Navy League's aims and objects. But he was not afraid of any criticism that might be directed against him. in that respect. The question of Britain's_ commerce dominated our national interests. The Germans had for years traded to Australia, but recently the people seemed to havo realised tho position, and he had been informed that German trade had fallen off to such an extent that it was decided to discontinue the running of the 'steamers of ono line that had been heavily subsidised. The German Government had, however, seen to it that tho service to Australia was to be continued, and 'now tho steamship servico was being extended to Now Zealand. It was a matter that affected us very materially. Tho people of New Zealand were dependent, absolutely, on tho protection of Britain for existence as a people. A foreign power was coming in to divert our trade-from its natural channels, and any such clement interfering with British trade must, in tho long run, be detrimental to our interests. It was an old, and a true saying, that "trade follows the Flag," and the people of New Zealand should ceo that their interests lay in the direction of supporting British trade as against foreign shipping interests which wefe directly m opposition to those of their own nation.