The Hawera Star. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1924. THE BRITISH NAVY.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 21 October 1924, Page 4

The Hawera Star.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1924. THE BRITISH NAVY.

Delivered every evening by 5 o'cToefc tn Hawern, Manaia, Normanby, Okaiawa, Eltham, Alangatoki, Kaponga, Awatnna,- Opunake, Otakelio, Manutahi, , Alton, Hurleyville, Patea, Waverley, Mnkoia, Whakamara, Ohaftgai, Meremere, Fraser Road, and Ararata. ' -

If we remember rightly it was a French general who said on one occasion during the war that one of the outstanding traits of the British people was their forgetfulness. In many ways this trait may be regarded as a good one, but too often, we fear, the British citizen forgets facts that it is essential to the welfare of the nation that he should remember. How many of our citizens remembered this morning that October 21 is the anniversary of one of the greatest events in the history of the nation? One hundred and nineteen years ago today a grim struggle took place between the British Navy and the combined foree's- of France and Spain, and upon the result" of that struggle depended to a. greater degree than many of us probably realise the freedom of the British people. Had Villeneuve defeated Nelson at - Trafalgar the probability was that Great Britain would have been invaded by- Napoleon, who had gained such power in Europe that he appeared likely to become eomknew .that before he could gain dominknow that before he could gain dominion over Europe he would have to defeat Britain, and he had made great preparations to invade the .“nook shotten kies.” Trafalgar brought to an end these preparations and Napoleon never recovered sufficiently from the heavy defeat (nineteen of the enemy’s fleet were captured and one blown up, while 12,000 were taken) to enable him to carry out his complete plan. Napoleon's defeat in Europe was due primarily to the loss of the Battle of Trafalgar; the Kaiser’s defeat over a hundred years later was due mainly to the failure of his fleet at Jutland. Britain’s Navy has saved the world from military tyranny on several occasions, and we cannot understand people who do not appreciate more fully what the Navy has meant not only to the British nation, but to the world. Had Britain loot the Battles of Trafalgar and Jutland the world might have been in n far different state to-day. Britain has for generations stood for freedom and iustice, and has made-many great sacrifices to uphold the rights of the weak against the .strong and against t.hrwe who believe in the doctrine that might- is right. And in these .sacrifices the Navy has at all times played its part moet worthily. In its patrol work among the islands, in its helping to maintain peace in various parts of the world, and in all its activities the Navy has never failed in carrying out its duty efficiently and wisely. Only a few weeks ago Dr.. Benes paid a great tribute to the British Navy, and not even the greatest enemies of Britain charge the Navy with aggression. The Fleet is held in high regard throughout the world and is looked upon as thoroughly representative of the nation which it serves. In the Navy discipline is maintained at a high level, hut it is not a discipline which amounts to tyranny, for meet Jack Tar ashore and one will find him the happiest- of men, happy because he knows his duty and does it. and because the discipline which he urnlerheirs to keep him in good health. The noble actions of the men of all branches of the British Navy during tb-> war and the great heroism disolavcrl proved to the world that Britrin was still supreme at sea. and that it is most necessary to the Empire’s existence to keep the Navy up t-e a. strength sufficient to maintain its supremacy on the s n a. There is a danger in, these days that the people mav forget that the Empire’s safety depends upon its holding command of the sea. Scattered as the various parts are over the four quarters of the globe, the Empire must be able to

protect its sea communications in wartime and failure to do so would mean inevitable defeat if faced with a powerful foe. It is well, therefore, on the anniversary of the Rattle of Trafalgar for people to think of the British Navy and the great victories which it has gained in its defence of freedom and justice and has thus helped to save democracy from it<? enemies.