SEA COMMUNICATIONS VITAL

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 230, 27 June 1944, Page 4

SEA COMMUNICATIONS VITAL

Address By Chief Of Naval Staff MARITIME WAR IN THE PACIFIC “D-day is going well, and, when Cherbourg falls, our forces will be firmly established in northern France, with a ) major port that can handle all seaborne traffic in winter, when weather conditions will make beach landings impracticable,” said the Chief of Naval Staff, Commodore Sir Atwell Lake, addressing the annual meeting of the Wellington branch of the Navy League last night. “The Russians have launched their summer offensive, and, while there is still hard fighting victory over Germany is definitely in sight. When that is achieved all our forces will be thrown against Japan. . A more active war against Japan is being planned, but that will not be a simple matter. As has recently been stated in the House ot Commons, distances are great and base facilities are inadequate. “While the war in the Pacific is going well, and American forces are establishing bases nearer and nearer Japan, the powerful Japanese fleet remains in being. So far it has consistently refused to accept a fleet action. But we may rest assured that Admiral Nimitz, Admiral Halsey, and Admiral Spruance will *Io their utmost to force them to fight, and will defeat them. “Here once again the war is a maritime war, and victory depends on command of the sea. The Japanese sea communications between their homeland and the Netherlands East Indies must be cut. And attacks will have to he launched against Burma and China. “When both Germany and Japan have been defeated our task is far from being ended. For the peace will not be won in a dog watch, and it will not be won without power. Germany and Japan must be totally disarmed, and they must never be permitted to rearm. That will not be achieved without foree. Insurance Against New War. “Above all else we in the British Empire must ensure the security of our sea communications, on which our very existence depends. To do so we must maintain a Navy and an Air Force of adequate strength. It is an insurance against future war, against further slaughter, bloodshed and loss of life, and will assist to build a better and happier world for our children. “Here in New Zealand you can maintain a navy which, though small in quantity, in quality will be second to none. For here in New Zealand there are so many grand young men who have the salt of the sea in their blood. But the Royal New Zealand Navy must be made attractive, for the young man who joins the Navy wants to sail the seas and see the world. To lock those young men np in the Hauraki Gulf, or even to eonfine them solely to the South Pacific, might deter them from joining. I suggest that the Royal Navy continues to be godfather to the Royal New Zealand Navy, and that there be an interchange of ships and personnel. Ships of the Royal Navy will undoubtedly in due course come to the South Pacific, and the White Ensign must be there in some strength not only now but in the immediate post-war years.” After referring to the need to maintain the existing naval organization within New Zealand, Sir Atwell said encouragement must be given to the New Zealand Merchant Navy. He would like to see in the Dominion a training ship for the Merchant Navy comparable to the Worcester or the Conway in Britain. In conclusion Sir Atwell said that the Navy League must continue to “Keep Watch”; continue to enlist the support of all classes in maintaining the Navy and Air Force at adequate strength, for a sudden development of such strength was impossible; continue to help and support the Merchant Navy:, endeavour to convince the general public that the expenditure involved was a national insurance for the security of our trade and commerce, upon which our very existence depended, which was carried by the Merchant Navy and must be guarded by the Royal Navy in conjunction with the Air Force. “Never again, it is to be hoped, will the Navy be reduced to a mere skeleton, thereby encouraging those aggressor nations with a lust for world conquest, to rearm,” he said.