WHY A NAVY LEAGUE IS NEEDED

Evening Post, Volume XCII, Issue 76, 27 September 1916, Page 6

WHY A NAVY LEAGUE IS NEEDED

Prior to the war British politics had its Little Navyites, and they were something of a power in the land. There were, however, no Little Armyites, simply because there were no Big Armyites. As one, crying. in the wilderness, Lord 'Roberts was heard to voice the idea of ■military preparedness, but tlie politicians heeded him not, because for party purposes the army issue was dead. Only in naval affairs was there any'political vitality; and that fact accounts for the destructive activity of the Little Navyites. But with the advent of war came a transformation. The individual voice of Lord Eoberts and the collective campaign of the Navy League were vindicated so suddenly and peremptorily that the completeness of the revolution has* hardly yet been realised. Little Navyism did not'adjust itself to the change, but simply went out of business;'and some of its pillars and press supporters have since been so identified with constructive navalism—and even with critical comment on naval failures to which their own earlier attitude had contributed—■ that anyone might think Little Navyism had never existed. But human experience tells that years of peace will 'bring its revival, and that, a f strong Navy League to-day can serve a useful purpose. In faot, our reference to the Little ''Navyites is not the outcome ■of a desire to slay the slain, but of a- conviction' that the League must be strengthened for the fight of the future against recurring obstruction. Here in New Zealand the people are confronted with a great task of navy-building, which is a part of nation-building; and a constructive campaign, calling For the League's most faithful service, is required. For that purpose, we direct attention to last night's annual meeting of the Wellington branch, which, mainly through the agency of one devoted member (Mr. C. W. Palmer), has done firstclass work, and which should have before it many years of usefulness. What is true of the whole Empire is true of Wel--1 limrton—an organisation of_ permanent

value must not be . neglected because temporary convulsions overshadow it. The Navy League has been a faithful servant; it is doing good service to-day; and its appeal for an increase of members .should not fall on unheeding ears.