THE BRITISH NAVY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17658, 23 June 1919, Page 5

THE BRITISH NAVY.

. MR HUGHES'S COMPLAINT. ■ NAVY OR LEAGUE OF NATIONS. HE FORMER. Press Association—By Telegraph— Copyright LONDON, June 20. (Received June 22, at 5.5 p.m.) Lord Denman presided over the British. Empire League luncheon to. Mr W. M. Hughes and Sir Joseph Cook at Claridge'a Hotel.

Mr Hughes followed up his speech on the Imperial economic policy by outspoken criticism of the League of Nations in relation to the British navy. He said: "I welcomed the League of Nations, but does anyone think the league will bottle up. human nature? Australia is the most distant outpost of white civilisation. The real problem is, if w e are attacked, shall we call on the British Empire or the League of Nations for help? What will. Australia's position be in time of trouble if the British navy is part of a polyglot, heterogeneous force attached to the league, which will probably include our deadly enemy?" He added: " I don't doubt ' that the league; after careful and pro- ] longed consideration, will act, but will it * come to Australia's aid with the same swiftness as the British navy? The ftrst* warning of the next war will be £Le roar of cannon. The British navy has been a sure shield during the past five i years, and the Empire will not abandon the navy for the aid''of that other thing which has still to win its spurs. . If the navy is controlled by the other, or is .whittled down, then there will be &e ' beginning of the end of the Empire." j Sir Joseph Cook deprecated recent criticism of the peace delegates. He said s, they were neither fools nor knaves, and v i were entitled to the people's sympathy. As an Australian leaving the Mother * Land, he said : " My Reeling is ihat tntre is so much trouble in our own conntry needing our energy and wisdom, that it ia better to leave England to face i,ts domestic _ concerns . while we unravel and straighten out our own."—A. and N ZCable. <~