GREAT BRITAIN, CENTRE OF THE WORLD

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 21010, 11 November 1933, Page 14

GREAT BRITAIN, CENTRE OF THE WORLD

DEPENDENCE ON SEA COMMUNICATIONS

Having demonstrated by means of maps how Great Britain was the centre of the worlds trade, Rcfli _ Ad miral F. Burges Watson, in a lecture at the Navy League Hall last evening, emphasised the dependence of the nation on its sea communications, and the necessity, therefore, of maintaining a strong navy for their protection. Many members and friends of the Navy League were present. RearAdmiral Burges Watson dealt first with the recent history of the navy and the weapons against which it had to fignt. He brought to a close an intensely interesting lecture with remarks upon the importance of sea communications. Maps showed that Great Britain was the centre of a land mass—the centre of the world's teeming millions and the world's trade. New York could never be this centre, he said, as further maps proved. Trade, which was the exchange of goods, depended •chiefly on sea transport—far more so than on land transport—and therefore the maintenance of sea communications was absolutely essentiaL "If Great Britain is to maintain her position she must keep a strong navy to protect it. Whatever race holds the islands of Great Britain holds the world, as it is at present constituted. Let us see that through no fault of ours, or lack of faith in ourselves, does that great Jierita£e pass Irom us."