NAVAL POLICY

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 20, 24 January 1924, Page 9

NAVAL POLICY

NEW ZEALAND'S CONTRIBUTION^

SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE URGED

LEAGUE CONFERENCE BEMTTS,

The annual conference of New Zealand ' branches of the Navy League will ba held at Auckland on 30th and 31st January. Numerous remits will come up for consideration, including quite a number of important ones dealing with New Zealand s policy of contribution, Navy ■League policy, , educational propaganda, naval recruiting and training, etc. The principal remits are as under, the name ot the branch being, given within paren* theses in each instance: ' POLICY OF CONTRIBUTION. That while we an, reassured by ih4~ JNew Zealand Government's increased contribution to naval funds that they ara seized with the urgent necessity of maintaining a sufficiently strong naval force lor the protection of our trade routes and coast lines, we would strongly emphasise the necessity and justice of our Government' assuming a fair proportion of the cost of this naval.defence and submit that the fairest basis is per capita contribution at the same rate as in tha OJd Country.—(Auckland.) That the conference heartily approves ot the action of the New Zealand Government ia voting £500,000 for expenditure on naval defence for the year 1923----<».—(Canterbury.) That, in the opinion of this conference it is advisable that the Navy League branches should establish discussion centres in_their own towns for the'purpose ox considering all. questions affecting tha welfare of the Empire, /particularly nava , military, and air fores matters.(Wellington.) That the Navy League should .tress tne_importance of maintaining a navy of sufficient power to provide adequate EDUCATIONAL PROPAGANDA

„ That ]t is highly desirable and that the system of educational work in connection with the Navy Lague be" unified throughout the Dominion. V—(Auckland:) That in the opinion of this branch, the teaching of history and specially the ■ naval history of the Empire, should be given a more prominent place in our primary and secondary schools than is \ the case at present.—(Canterbury.) "That with reference to the Director letter of 14th August, 1922, to the secretary of the Navy League, Wellington, this conferenca should arrange for a series of articles on the Navy -to be published in the ','Schobl Journal.—("Canterbury.) • "That steps be takeniwith a view to the administration and exhibition of naval films in the Dominion being placed in the hands of the Navy League branches.—(Napier.) . "That a standing committee be ap. pointed to consider the prospects of instituting a league publication in the Dominion additional to 'The NaVy.' "'■—, (Napier.). v NAVAL RECRUITING AND TRAINS -.-••• ING. _ "That the conference be asked to con« sider the best means by which the different branches of the Natfy Leagua throughout the Dominion can, when necessary, assist recruiting for the NewZealand Division of the Royal Navy."— (Canterbury.) . ' . "That this conference of the branches of the Navy League throughout the Dominion of New Zealand- desires to help the naval in every way, obi tainingi sufficient boys to keep up th»! required quota for the New Zealand division of the Royal Navy."—(Wellington.) "That branches do-their utmost to encourage and promote naval recruiting.1' —(Napier.) "That immediate steps should Jba taken to, provide the necessary material and train officers and men for the local defence of our harbours and coasts. This is a duty which the Imperial Navy can never undertake, and which must be. provided for from local resources. The necessary material can largely be obtained from the- Imperial Navy by loan, purchase, or gift". The officers and men can be drawn from amongst the local yachtsmen, but they must have the necessary craft and^ equipment, and it will be two or three years before any local efficiency can be looked for. All this \"ill cost a good deal, but, at present our coasts and harbours are quite defenceless against the attacks of submarines, mine- ' layers and 6imilar craft. AIR FORCE AND SEA SCOUTS. That the conference affirms the gen> eral principle that, owing to the geographical position of New Zealand, the maintenance of air forces to safeguard these, islands against, attack from an enemy nation is unnecessary, that such resources as are available for such work be expended on. the provision of navsl aircraft, • which, together with any destroyers and submarines stationed in these waters must be under naval control and direction.—(Canterbury.) .

That this conference of the branches of the Navy League in New Zealand urges upon the Government the necessity for an air force policy as an absolute essential part of any system of defence, and that the services be obtained on loan from the British Government for a period of about two years of one of the most able and efficient Naval Air Force experts.—(Wellington). .' That, in the. opinion of this confer? ence, it is advisable that the Sea Scout movement be supported by the Navy League.—(Picton). "■'.:■

That the question of the Dominion Sea Scouts > organisation be considered.—i (Napier). '

SINGAPORE BASE.

That the branches of the Nayy League in New Zealand strongly gapport the Singapore base, and urge that it Bhall be completed in a shorter time than the one at present arranged, namely,' twelve 'years.—(Wellington)."* That it is desirable to organise the work of the Navy League for Trafalgar Day throughout the Dominions both as to a supply of visiting speakers and also the subject or subjects to which the conference most urgently advises/- special attention to be called on :that day as well as for the s es«ays.v-(Marton).

NAVAL OVERSEAS RELIEF WORK.,

That it should be a recommendation from this conference that all branches ot the Navy League in New Zealand shonld make the helping of sailors' dependants an important part of their work. Thi» is particularly important at the present time, as very real.need exists among the demobilised men of the. Royal Navy as well as among,the dependants of those sailors—naval and mercantile ' marine^.•who lost their lives in wartime.—(Wellington).