EMPIRE’S SAFETY

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 15 November 1924, Page 7

EMPIRE’S SAFETY

LIES IN THE NAVY.

JELLICOE’S STRAIGHT SPEAKING

AT FAREWELL FUNCTION. (by TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION. WELLINGTON, Nov' 15. , A great and enthusiastic gathering packed the Town Hall last night, when the Governor-General and Lady Jellicoe were farewelled by the Wellington branch of the Navy League. ■ During the course of his speech His Excellency stressed the imperative necessity of ensuring that the British Navy should be maintained at ' that standard of efficiency and strength which alone would ensure the adequate protection of the trade routes of the Empire. ‘‘lnvariably,” said Lord Jellicoe, ‘‘after a great war there is a tendency to let down the defensive forces of the ■ Empire, but there is one defensive force which I would warn the people of the Empire never to let down—that is the sea services of the Empire, whether, it be that great mercantile marine on which the prosperity of the Empire depends, or whether it be the Royal Navy on which the safety of the mercantile marine depends. By the Washington Treaty the total tonnage of capital ships belonging to the various nations of the, world have been .placed at a certain limit, but there has been no limit placed on other descriptions. I would warn- the people of Wellington, indeed, the people of the; Empire, not to let down the strength of these vessels, upon which the. pro-: teetion of trade routes depends.” His Excellency concluded by further stressing the necessity of maintaining only the highest standard of efficiency. “No second-rate standard is of the slightest possible use. You want the. very best, and you have the very best now.”