IMPERIAL NAVY

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 1 July 1927, Page 5

IMPERIAL NAVY

THE BURDEN OF MAINTENANCE. NEW ZEALAND’S DUTY. (UY TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION.) WELLINGTON, June 30. Replying to a deputation from the Navy League, which presented the resolution. passed at the last conference, the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, said that- (there were those who did not agree with the importance iand objects, q,f the league. There were people who considered that the organisation might ibe mischievous' and possibly lead to trouble. With that opinion he totally disagreed, and New Zealanders with any pride in their country and rac-e should feel it incumbent on them to consider wliat precautions should be taken to safeguard us against possible trouble, and what should be our moral responsibility, having regard to the tremendous burden our kith and kin in the Motherland were carrying. Most would agree that we should endeavour to meet, our responsibilities and assist the Mother Country as far as we possibly could. The Government had .indicated quite clearly what it though about naval defence, and had expressed ii:ts opinion about Singapore. That matter would* be dealt with by Parliament this year. He trusted that there would be little difficulty in getting Parliament to agree' to the moderate proposals concerning Singapore and the cruisers to be maintained in New Zealand as pa.rt of the Imperial Niaw.