THE NAVY LEAGUE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 14 November 1922, Page 4

THE NAVY LEAGUE

NELSON BRANCH

MEETING OF COMMITTEE/

A meeting of the Committee- of the Nelson branch of the Navy League was held yesterday afternoon, the President (Mr H. R. Duncan) presiding.

In the course of his remarks the chairman said that at the close of the Great War the general impression was that the work of the Navy League had come to an end. This impression was intensified when the results of the Washington Conference became known. Such an impression needed to be, dissipated. The Washington Conference served a great and useful purpose in regard to the limitation of armaments, and thus had lessened the burden of expenditure on battleships. But whilst it had given a ten years’ respite from battleship construction, it failed to limit the building of cruisers and all lighter war-vessels, and, further, rejected Lord Balfour’s powerful and eloquent pleas for the abolition of submarine craft. The argument that these vessels could only be used for coast defence was exploded when it was proved that they could travel at least 8000 miles. (One was built to travel 12- to 20,000 miles.) To “keep watch” was now to be the policy of the Navy League: To watch the Governments of the Empire so as to see that the Empire is not imperilled through disregard of the Navy and he might say the air force. For the air craft was already a powerful aid both for offence and defence; To watch that our light cruisers are maintained in sufficient force and efficiency in order to protect the vast commerce of t&e Empire ; To watch the development of submarine ships and see that we do not lag behind in construction of such types that can be relied upon to defend our fleet, commerce and seaports; To watch that the sea spirit is kept alive by training youth for the Navy and mercantile marine. For five times in the nation’s history, said the chairman, had the Navy saved Great Britain and the Empire, and in the last war it not only saved the Empire but Europe and civilisation. In the ensuing discussion, the question of making a forward move so far as the local branch is concerned, was mentioned. It was pointed out that additional members would be required if the work of the branch was to be effective. It was eventually decided to carry on as at present until next an effort will be made to create more local interest in the League. A list of films dealing with the work of the Navy was submitted, and it was decided to get further information as to the suitable ones to screen for the school children.

Mr C. S. Spear was elected secretary in place of Mr H. R. Duncan, who has resigned the office aftqj* many years of useful service.

OBJECTS OF THE LEAGUE The objects of the League, as set out by the President of the League (the Duke of Sutherland) are as follow; (a) To secure as the primary object of National policy the complete naval protection all the world over of: — British subjects and British commence. (b) To urge this policy upon:—The Government of the day. All citizens of the British Empire. * _ (c) To spread information showing the vital importance to.the British Empire of maintaining such naval strength as will ensure the permanent safety of our trade and Empire, and of our food supply, and secure British prestige on every sea and in every port of the world.

(d) To watch the development of the Air Force with a view to ensuring the proper co-ordination between naval and air strengths in carrying out the aims of the League. The educational work. Sea Cadet Corps work and the administration of the Navy League overseas relief educational fund will, of course, continue as before.