ACTION BY NAVY LEAGUE

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 103, 2 May 1914, Page 2

ACTION BY NAVY LEAGUE

CONFERENCE PROPOSED. OT TELKSRim— SPICUL TO TBI »|».> CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. ihe following circular lotter has been ' sent by the secretary of the local branch ot the Navy League to each, of the twelve other branches of the league, throughout Now Zealand:— Dear Sir,— At a recent meeting of the Christchurch Committee of this branch ot the Navy League 0, lengthy discussion took place in regard to the naval defence of New Zealand, and finally tl}e following resolution was adopted, to be placed betore other New Zealand branches, namely : " That tho New Zealand Government should make further representation to tho British Admiralty to keen New Zealand provided with two modern cruisei-B, New Zealand to pay for tho entire upkeep of these and man same as far as possible, the British Government to withdraw the four obsolete cruisers for which £100,000 per annum is now being paid." My committee would be glad to Know the opinion of your committee herein with a view to a combined resolution being forwarded to the New Zealand Government from New Zealand branches. The same should also bo forwarded ,to the Navy League, London, and perhaps to the British Admiralty! I may add that this subject was discussed by Christchurch memberg of the league at a quarterly meeting held in December last, the outcome of which was two resolutions, the first being: "That this meeting views with pleasure the proposal of the Government t6r the training of officer* and men for the British navy, but is of opinion that the time is not yet ripe for building warships for JNew Zealand," and the second: "That this meeting affirms 'the desirability of reopening negotiations with the British • Admiralty with the object of having two ships of the Bristol or later class stationed in New Zealand waters." You will thus see that tho Christchurch committee, in forwarding its resolution to your committee, is following up the opinion of members in this district. At the present time there is a danger oE the question of naval defence being made a party-cry in New Zealand, and since the Navy League is non-political, it might be aB well if the Navy League ' in New Zealand made a pronouncement on this question. I may remind you that a 'circular lotter received from the Navy League office, London, in January fast, refers to the extension of British naval organisation in tho Pacific, and asks for criticisms and suggestions ■ tending to extend the influence of the Navy League from its oversea members. There are several questions of material importance now before the. public of New Zealand, and there cannot be much doubt that the time is ripe for the Navy League to make a definite pronouncement of policy. My committee is of opinion that it is essential that a conference of the various branches should be held at the earliest possible moment, bo that representation can be made to Parliament when it is in session. I am instructed to suggest that a conference should be held in Wellington during • June or July, and that every effort should be made to have the various branches of the league represented^ If something like this cannot be done, my committee feels that the league will fail to justify its existence. I hope that your branch will take up the matter con amore, and that the league may be able to show that it is a dominating factor on the question of naval defence in this Dominion. May I ask you to bring this letter before your committee and let me have its opinion at the earliest moment?— Yours faithfully, C. J. Trelevan, Christchurch, secretary.