THE NAVY LEAGUE

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 275, 15 August 1921, Page 7

THE NAVY LEAGUE

ITS ACTIVITIES DISCUSSED VICTORIA COLLEGE DEBATE The Victoria College Debating Society hold another of its debates on Saturday evening. The activities of the Navy League wrm chosen as tho subject, and the motion was “That the society views with grave apprehension the activities of the Navy League in the State schools. Mr. J. W. O. Davidson of Victoria. Collefre, in moving the motion, said that tne ulm of education was to encourage independent thought and inldivlduallty. No belief should be Imposed upon children wherever there was a reasonable doubt and an opposing opinion. endeavouring to capture the .educational machine to mould, tbs mmdl of tho children to suit their ends. The Navy League was teaching the children to her Hove that the Navy was the one means of defence. There was a growing body of public opinion holding the view that tho Navy, instead of being: a means oi defence, wits in reality a means of provoking war. That view was held by tho National Peace Council. The ideal that was aimed at was a world without armies or navies: it was an ideal, no doubt, but it was one that should bo encouraged. Tho activities of the Navy League represented a departure from the ideals of education, and its teaching was a grave danger to the peace of the world. Mr. H. M'Oormick, who opposed the motion, said that the matter resolved itself into two parts, viz.: (1) L> a navy essential to the Empire; and, (2) Is the Navy League justified in its activities? as contended that the League of Nations was not yet an accomplished fact, and the time had not arrived when International disputes would be settled by arbitration, and until that time arrives war was the only method of settling international disputes. Britain depended upmv-the sea, for a great part of her foodstuffs had to be imported; and a strong navy was necessary for her trade. The safety of nations at present depended upon their strength and not upon their rights. Even now they were hearing about the Pacific being the next storm-ceutre of international politics. The Navy League was doing useful work in constantly reminding the people that tho safety of the Empire' depended upon sea power. The Navy League sympathised with those who believed in the possibilities of a League of Nations, but it insisted that the League of Nations has not yet arrived, and in the meanwhile the Navy was essential to the Empire. The Rev. Moses Ayrton, who seconded tho motion, said the activities ofi the Navy League were to be deeply regretted because the league could serve a benevolent and more useful purpose. The Navy League had convinced itself that the public schools were tho proper places for carrying on their activities. Tho reason was that thereby they were likely to obtain recruits for manning the Navy from the boys attending tho State schools. The league desired to instUUts pernicious ideas in the minds of the children at their most impressionable period. Tho ideas of the league were that British supremacy was tho source of national prosperity, and that a large navy was the surest safegun Ki of the people’s liberty, and ho contended that those were dangerous ideas to put before the children. He hold that if tho Navy was essential to safeguard the liberties of the people—if after tho great war it is found necessary to advocate a bigger Navy than Britain possessed before the war—then it seemed to him that the war was fought in vain. Could they justify war and preparations for war at the bar of human reason? Mr. R. Darroch, who opposed the motion, said that he had been on the executive of tho Navy League for 17 years, and ho believed ho knew something about tho lejiguo. Its motto was "Keep Watch. Tho Navy League came Into existence 26 years ago, when certain British patriots became alarmed nt the inadequacy of 'the Navy, and tho House of Commons noted for a big Nnyy because the Navy League forced it to <lo so. Had the Navy been less strong than It was at the outbreak of the war, and the mercantile marine half as strong as it was, the Allies would not have wonl the war, ttnd they would have been sitting that evening under the chairmanship of some .German. The Navy League taught nothing in the State schools, but it set out help to teach tho importance of sea power to Britain. It helped to teach the British idea of sea power and not the German idea. Duping 109 years the Navy kept the) peace, and tho Navy League had kept the Empire tin to the mark in the matter of an adequate Navy. The Navy League tnught the importance of a proper spirit of lovnlty and patriotism throughout the Empire, and that was necessary, particularly just now. When the League of Nations wfih an accomplished fact things may ho different. In concluding, Mr. Darroch outlined tho beliefs of tho NavyLeague ns follows:—“We believe,” he said, "that the British Navy is the greatest association of ‘handymen’ in the world, ready nt all times to strike a! blow for right and freedom; to succour a friend or stranger in distress, and with equal efficiency to man the heaviest gun or ply the lightest needle. Therefore, tho Navy I.eague aims to he an equally handy service ashore whenever and wherever ' loyalty, honour, justice, and freedom are challenged, and sond out a call for help. Wa believe that British supremacy upon tho sea, is essential if the honour and integrity of New Zealand and the Empire ore to be assured. Therefore, the Navy League advocates a New Zealand unit of the Royal Navy, which will be worthy of New Zealand and a docent contribution to Imperial safetv. We believe that it was the sea. by God’s grace, which brought our Empire into being, and tint it is upon the sea that we Trust live and prosper or die and bo forgotten. Therefore, tho Navy League, tells the story of the sea and of the ships and men of the sea. as often and as w o U as It can bo told. We believe that the most wonderful vision of poets or statesmen to-day regarding the future of civilisation cannot match tho beauty, tho s’mple record of courage, loyalty, honour, and freedom found in the pages of British sea history. Therefore, tho Navy League reminds us that ft is our solemn_diity at all times to work for, live for, and, if need bo. die for the preservation of Imperial unity.”' Several students took part tn the discussion, after which the motion was carried.