THE NAVY LEAGUE

Evening Post, Volume CII, Issue 39, 15 August 1921, Page 8

THE NAVY LEAGUE

WORK IN STATE SCHOOLS

VICTOEIA COLLEGE DEBATE

The Victoria College Debating Society debated on Saturday evening the question, "That the society views with grave apprehension the activities of the Navy League in the State schools." The affirmative was taken by Mr. J. W. G. Davidson, of Victoria College/ who urged that the aim of edxication was to' encourage independent thought and individuality, and opposed the use of the educative machine to impose, belief on the young for propagandist purposes. The league endeavoured to prove that the Navy was the one means of defence; yet there was a growing body of public opinion , which held that a navy was really a means of provoking war. The activities of the Navy League were a departure from the ideals of education and a danger to the peace of the world. Mr. H. M'Gormick, in opposing the motion, said the matter resolved itself into the questions whether a navy was essential to the Empire, and whether the Navy League was justified in its activities. Until international disputes could be settled by arbitration, war remained the only means of settlement, and the League was doing valuable work in constantly reminding the people that the safety of the Empire depends upon sea power.

The Rev. Moses Ayrfcon, in support of the motion, said the activities of. the league were to be deeply regretted, because it could serve a more benevolent and useful purpose. It was carrying on its activities in the State school* in the hope of obtaining recruits for the Navy. He held that if the Navy was essential to safeguard the liberties of the people, 'if it was necessary to advocate a bigger Navy than Britain had before the Great War, then the war had been fought in vain.

Mr. S. Darroch, in opposition, -said that after ,being for seventeen, yeans a; member of the Navy, League executive, 'he knew something about it. The British Empire had a big navy because the 'league, had forced the hands of Parliament; and had the Navy been less powerful they would have been sitting that night under a German chairman. The league .taught nothing in the schools, but helped to teach the British idea of sea-power as against the German idea. The Navy League taught the importance of a proper spirit of loyalty and patriotism throughout the Empire, and' that was necessary, particularly just mow. When the League of Nations was an accomplished fact things might be different^ Mr. DaTroch outlined the beliefs of the Navy League, in the course of Which he said : "We believe that it was the sea., by God's frrace, which brought our Empire into being, and that it is upon the sea that, we must live and prosper or die and be forgotten. Therefore the iNavy League tells the story of ithe aea, and of the ships and men of the sea, as often and as well as it can be told. We believe that the most' wonderful vision of poets or statesmen to-day (regarding the future of civilisation cannot match the beauty, the simple record of courage, loyalty^ honour, and freedom found in the pages of British sea- history. Therefore, the Navy League reminds us that it is our solemn duty at all time to work for, live for, and, if need be, die for/ the preservation of Im-, perial unity." Several students took parkin the discussion, after which the motion waa carried, ' . '. , .' I