THE NAVY'S WORK.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XLI, Issue 12771, 14 February 1916, Page 2

THE NAVY'S WORK.

Tlio Navy League in summing up the work of* the Nary for the past year says:— The- Navy is silent. It is unseen by the masess of the people of the Empire, but it is more apparent now than ever before that the Navy is nevertheless the trustee of Freedom's birthright of the people of the British Empire and .indeed of the people of tin* whole hu- ' man race. A brief summary of the achievement of the Navy in its relation to the process of the war will, it is hoped, provide .seasonable food for thought: 1. Apart from a. few futile raids, no British territory in any part of the world has been violated by the enemy. 'l. During the seventeen months of I war the overseas trade of the United Kingdom ranched in round figures £-1,700,000.000. or £ 100.000.000 per month. 3. Food and drink to the value of about £-100.000,000 have been imported into'the linked Kingdom during tile year J5)15 for the maintenance of the daily life of the people. 4. The sea borne commerce of Germany, .Austria, and Turkey amounting to nearly £1,100.000.000 has been driven from the seas. 5. Seven million tons of German, Austrian, and Turkish shipping have been destroyed or driven to seek refuge in the harbors of neutral ."-ountries. G. Vast armies with casualties at sea which only amount to one man per thousand have been trar.s|iorted from the ends of the eart-h. to the various theatres of war.

7. The brilliant operation;- of British submarines in the Baltic. Sea have .crippled German strategy as directed against Russia and have virtually completed .the blockade of Germany upon its Baltic seaboard. St. Tlie German submarine menace which aimed at the complete destruction o: British shipping has been strangled in British home waters, and is being reduced within the narrowest limits in the Mediterranean. 10. Tlie War operations of the Allies in. every sphere of conflict are being maintained bv the .combined support of the Allied Fleets. W~ith the Fleet upon guard in all its strength and efficiency, the Navy Lea-(niebas-no doubt of the future of our lireat cause, and tirpcs upon all its mr:nil»"r.< to oiiter upon the New Year with quiet confidence and' unclouded hope.