NEW ZEALAND'S LOYALTY.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXII, Issue 63, 12 September 1911, Page 8

NEW ZEALAND'S LOYALTY.

In opening the Navy League Conference to-day, the president (Air. T. M. Wilfordj M.P.), gave utterance to some interesting remarks. The speaker said he considered hi* had been placed in a proud position. To those who had followed the progress of the movement, it must be clear thab annual conference^ would be necessary. A general working - plan should be evolved. Those present realised absolutely that the maintenance of the British' Navy meant the preservation Of New Zealand, • as otherwise we could | only be a. negligible unit. (Hear, bear.) [ Until recently Britain was supreme, but | since 1905 the position had been i changed The Japanese alliance caused the withdrawal from the Pacific. The I map of the futitre could not be foretold. | Curiously enough, Spain, which had cufe j off its colonies, had progressed in aremarkable way so far as its navy was concerned. Germany was without doubt the Power that Britain looked towards, and the former could never be looked to with a. view of 'arbitration, as ite policy was aggraesion to obtain colonies for surplus population. Its increase in population hsd been tremendous, »ttd some outlet had' to be found. The organ of -the German Navy League said that not to admit that, the German policy meant the annihilation of Britain was the policy of the ostrich. For New Zealand to talk of separation from the ! Old Country was absolutely suicidaL (Hear, hear.) There were a few who had no objection to Government by Germany, but we would be well rid of those few. (ApplausA.) They should leave' their country for their country's good. _ If those who preached anti-con-ecription would read the Labour jour^ nals they would take different steps and thus ensure the protection of their wive* and children. New Zealand was intensely loyal. (Hear, hear). He objected to joining the Commonwealth «avy. (Hear, hear.) We should continue ' our contribution. To talk of catting the painter ftom the Mother Country was to utter *. statement which bore the' stamp of Want of thought. Such conduct would make New Zealand '■ a tip<* plum for < the taking by Japan or Germany. Without the Navy, this country could not defend itself from aggreflsW. Population could ;be accommodated ■in New^ Zealand, and other countries naturally coveted it. While there should be no servility, they should remain entirely loyal to the Old Country. It was greatly to be regretted that an. anti-conacription movement was springing up. These people, continued Mr. Wilford, were greatly misled. He did not want *o preach a doctrine indicating that New Zealand w#s going to be attacked, but they must be prepared. Not to do so would be criminal tt«gli' genee..> He did care whether, the country remained British or became German. General applause followed Mr. ,Wiliord.'fl remarks.