IMPERIAL LINK

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 70, 20 September 1937, Page 11

IMPERIAL LINK

NAVAL AND MARINE

STRONG AS EVER

SHIPPING MEN MEET

Confidence in the Mercantile Marine, safeguarded by the Royal Navy, as a link of Empire was expressed in all speeches made at the annual smoke concert of the combined shipping companies in the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall on Saturday night. Mr. W. K. C. Gregory presided over an attendance which filled the hall, and there were present amongst the distinguished guests Mr. D. J. McGowan, chairman of the Wellington Harbour Board, Paymaster-Captain E. L. Tottenham, R.N., and tne Minister of Defence (the Hon. F. Jones).

Proposing the toast of "The Navy," Mr. McGowan said that the Navy had reached an unprecedented efficiency in quality and quantity in 1914, and the spirit was that of the days of Nelson. After the war disarmament was carried out while all other nations of the world started to rebuild. At last Great Britain had embarked on a huge rearmament plan, and would once more take her place as a guardian of the world's peace. A new treaty, supplanting the London Treaty of 1936, limited only the size of vessels, and not their numbers, and at last the British Navy was free to build the essential units of a fleet determined only by the necessities of defence. Inter-communi-cation of information removed international suspicion, and it remained only to declare a two-Power standard to make Britain's intentions clear to the world. Britain was arming for peace.

Replying to the toast, PaymasterCaptain Tottenham said that he could not tell them much of what the Navy [was doing. It appeared to be on the [coast of Spain, and they only heard when it sailed to protect British shipping, but not a great deal of what was done. It was no secret that New Zealand had two new cruisers, and that the Government had approved of plans which were progressing steadily. It was necessary for the shipping companies to keep their sea sense alive,' and that was being done, as was apparent from the fact that 1,000,000 more, tons of British shipping cleared British ports this year than last. The Navy had had a great deal of co-operation from the shipping companies, and he hoped that their relations would become better every day.

PROTECTION OF TASMAN SHIPPING.

Proposing "The Mercantile Marine," the Minister of Defence, apologising for the absence of the Minister of Marine (the Hon. P. Fraser), stressed the importance of the Mercantile Marine to New Zealand, and the extent to which it had developed New Zealand by coastal trade in the early days. Recent aids to navigation were radio beacons at Baring Head, Cape Campbell, and Stephen's Island, in Cook Strait, and when the radio beacons were completed at Cuvier Island and Moko Hinau Island there would be a safe approach to Auckland to shipping using the Hauraki Gulf; later, other beacons would be considered. H.M.S. Endeavour was charting the coast. He referred to the Government's legislation giving protection to-British." shipping in the Tasman Sea. Similar legislation promised by Australia would see that British ships in the intercolonial trade were not ousted from it.

MERCHANT SERVICE GUILD.

Replying, Captain F. A. Macindoe spoke of the wonderful aids to modern navigation compared with the old lead soundings, and stressed the need for further opportunities for the training of young seamen. It was known that the Union Company had hundreds of applications, and it should be a condition that a certain number of boys should be carried, on these ships. The shortage of seamen was acute, and what would happen in the event of a war? Something could also be done with the overseas ships which came here, the care of the boys while in England being arranged.

Other toasts honoured were "Shipping Companies," proposed by Mr. A. J. Curtis, president of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, and responded to by Mr. A. D. Bayfeild (Federal Line), and Mr. F. Turner (Union Steam Ship Company); "The Teams," proposed by Mr. T. G. Taylor, the referee, and responded to by the captains of the teams.