NAVY LEAGUE AND THE EMPIRE

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 256, 26 July 1935, Page 10

NAVY LEAGUE AND THE EMPIRE

Aims and Ideals Stated

ANNUAL REPORT OF ’THE WELLINGTON BRANCH

“When the Navy League was founded iu January, 1595, now over 40 years ago, it was hoped that one day it would embrace iu membership the entire nation. Although this ideal has not been reached, yet active branches have been firmly established in all parts of the Empire, aud these branches, one and all, exercise an important influence iu urging that adequate naval defence must lie provided for the protection of our homes and our commerce,” states the annual report of the Wellington Navy League, to be presented at the annual meeting on Monday next. “We fully recognise that we are a civilian body, and we do not aspire to teach practical seamen their business. We have no panacea to offer; we do not pretend to tell the Admiralty how their work is to be done; we are no faddists, and we have no axes to grind; and we carefully refrain from technicalities, from laying down the law as to tonnage, armour, armament, or speed. Such matters we prefer to leave to men who make them their life study. “Above all, we are no ‘Jingoes’; we loathe and abominate war as cordially as any member of a peace society; we do not advocate ‘bloated armaments’ to enable Ministers to carry out an aggressive policy; we realise that the Navy is a purely defensive force—our only security for Independence and existence as a nation; and we do demand that, at all costs, that force shall be so organised as to qualify it always and at any' moment to discharge its stupendous duties of protecting our homes and our commerce.

“In 1912 —23 years ago—the Navy League inserted another plank in its policy, namely, adequate protection for the Empire by air, and the Navy League to-day fully recognises that the three arms of defence, the Army, the Navy, and tiie Air Force, all must play their respective parts in the protection of our homes and our commerce.

“During the whole period of its existence the Navy League has recognised the merchant service as inseparable from the Royal Navy as the first line of defence, and that during any war tiie Navy would be helpless without the merchant service. Thus it is that tiie Navy League has advocated so strongly the encouragement of interEmpire trade. If the present intense nationalism in the world persists and British nations do not encourage interEmpire trade, then the British merchant service will obviously disappear off tiie face of the waters.

“We believe that tiie adequate defence of tiie Empire is above and beyond all party considerations whatsoever. By writing to the Press, by distributing literature, by speaking upon public patforms, and by the great object lesson of celebrating the anniversary of Trafalgar, we are endeavouring to bring home to every subject of his Majesty what the position is, to impress upon them that their vital interests are at stake. “Except incidentally we are not a charity organisation, although, during the war period, all branches of the Navy League helped with various war charities. The Wellington Navy League alone remitted to England more than £25.000 for naval charities, without deducting one penny by way of expenses. Under the War Funds Act, it was competent for the branch to deduct up to 5 per cent, for office and other expenses.’’ The report refers.in detail to the work performed during the year by its various sub-organisations, namely, the women’s auxiliary, the junior branch, and the sub-branches at Masterton and Marton. Reference is made also to the death of such prominent members as Mrs. James Findlay; Mrs. John Ballance, and Messrs. J. J. Dougall, A. E. Brown, I). A. Strachan, Vivian Kidd!ford, Louis Blundell, Dr. Herbert, D. G. A. Cooper, Walter Tripe, and Rose Josephs. “The executive is grateful to the ■school authorities, the Education Department, the education boards, the school committees, and the teachers for the real sympathetic and enthusiastic help which they give to the Navy League throughout the middle districts of New Zealand,” the report adds.