Danger Of Submarines Makes Navy Essential

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30106, 15 April 1963, Page 11

Danger Of Submarines Makes Navy Essential

“The submarine is undoubtedly the most dangerous weapon we have to face, no matter what type of war there is,” said Commodore C. C Stevens, a member of the New Zealand Naval Board. Wellington, at the official opening of the biennial conference of the New Zealand Ex-Royal Navalmen’s Association in Greymouth on Saturday morning Continuing, the Commodore said, "No aircraft could attack New Zealand from a distance without warning; no army could, either; but a submarine could bring the country's coastal and overseas shipping to a grinding halt. Until such time as convoys could be arranged a ship would be in peril every time it left port. It’s as simple as that, and that's why we need a modern anti-submarine fleet ” Commodore Stevens outlined how the Navy had been ilt up after the war with the purchase of six Loch class frigates including H M.N ZS Rotoiti. at present in Greymouth He added that the aim now was to replace the vessels that had become obsolete and, although the cost of a new frigate was high from £4 to £5 million the price was relative in the light of all-round spiralling costs. In extending a welcome to the visitors, the Mayor of Greymouth (Mr F W Baillie) expressed the hope that they would see as much of the West Coast as possible Others to join in the welcome were Messrs P Blanchfieid, member of Parliament for WestLand; J C Johnson, president of the Greymouth branch Oi the Returned Services' Association: J Keddie, chairman of the Greymouth branch of the Ex-Royal Navalmen’s Association, and E Bird (Palmerston North), who official!. opened the conference Replies were made by Lieutenant-Commander D J Cheney. Officer Commanding the Frigate Rotoiti. and Mr

L. Duckworth (Blenheim). acting-president of the New Zealand association, and South Island vice-president. Remits Adopted The conference adopted the following remits forwarded by the Wellington branch of the association:— 1. That the Government be urged to increase the basic war disability pension to £5 10s a week. 2. That the war veterans’ allowance be raised to £5 10s a week.

3. That the provisions of the war veterans’ allowance be extended to include all members of the armed forces who served overseas.

4. That the allowable income for war veterans allowances over 65 years of age be increased to £206 per annum.

5. That all 100 per cent, temporary pensioners, after a qualifying period of six months, shall be entitled to receive, on application, a free rail and bus pass, always providing that they are on 100 per cent, temporary pensions. 6. That the New Zealand Patriotic Fund Board be urged to continue its representation to the Government for a further grant of £2OO to the class of disabled exservicemen who qualified in 1948

In connexion with remit number six, it was pointed out that in 1948 there were two recognised classes of disabled servicemen, one being 100 per cent locomotive, who received a grant of £5OO towards the purchase of a motor-car, while the 85 per cent, section received £2OO. In 1961 the Government gave a further grant of £5OO to those in the 100 per cent, category, but did not renew the grant to those in the 85 per cent class. The Patriotic Fund Board had approached the Government unsuccessfully on several occasions for a renewal for those in the latter category \ It was argued by delegates that, as there had been grants made from the Golden Kiwi lottery to disabled citizens for the purchase of cars, it should also be good enough for exservicemen It was, additionally. pointed out that, if it was good enough to make a grant of £2OO in the first place, it should be made again as the position had not changed

Anzac Day

Concerning Anzac Day. it was generally agreed that its solemnity, as at present .bserved. should be changed to the paying of respect to the dead in the forenoon, while the afternoon should be observed in some sporting for the celebration of victory Officers Elected

Th« following officers were elected:— President. Mr C E Bird < Palmerston North); internediate past-president. Mr L C Duckworth (Blenheim); viee-presdents, Messrs T McGuire (Auckland) R Kitt (Nelson); secretary Mr H Latimer (Dunedin); council. Messrs J Sba-o (Wellington) W White (Hutt Valley). J Kedd e (Greymonth). J Teffries (Christchurch)