THE NAVY LEAGUE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3772, 29 June 1926, Page 18

THE NAVY LEAGUE.

ITS AIMS AND OBJECTS. WELLINGTON, June 24. Remits passed by the Navy League at its annual confererce were submitted to the Right Hon. J G. Coates and the Minister of Defence (the Hon. F. J. Rolleston). In introducing the deputation, Mr Girling said they desired to impress on the Government the need for greater expenditure on naval defence. Mr Dougall (Christchurch) said they were pleased to note from the GovernorGeneral’s Speech that greater provision was to be made. The Navy League desired that either the Dominion’s contribution be increased to 25s per capita, equal to Britain’s, or that the scheme proposed by Earl Jellicoe be given serious consideration. It would mean an expenditure of 12s per head. Mr Darroch (Wellington) spoke of the need of an adequate air force. He suggested that the navy should have an equal opportunity with the army of formulating a policy of air development. In his reply, the Hon Mr Rolleston pointed out that New Zealand had provided a second cruiser, and another £IOO,OOO was being arranged for 1926-27. If we went in for a third cruiser, which was a matter under consideration, it would mean an additional £225,000 in the naval vote. Our naval contribution would be raised to the amount suggested by Earl Jellicoe. The Naval Board would have to report, but a third cruiser could not be stationed in New Zealand for another two years, as the Admiralty would have to make fresh cruiser dispositions. It was intended to establish a naval reserve in the four chief centres. Although it was hoped ultimately to institute a sea cadet force, it was not thought that the time was quite ripe yet. The matter would not b e lost sight of. Neither tho Defence Department nor the Naval Board thought that New Zealand should exercise any functions as regards an air force, it being considered wiser to retain control by the army for the present. Air Coates said the question of a third cruiser would be discussed by him at the Imperial Conference. Before launching into further expenditure they wanted to onsure that the money was being wisely spent, Karl Jellicoe’s policy would be completed as soon as possible. He agreed that it was hard to say that Now Zealand spent enough on tho navy, but we must make perfectly sure that money for defence purposes was spent on the most modern forms. Regarding the air force policy, ho believed that it would bo unwiso to havo divided control at the present stage. Tho Government was considering tho advisability of adopting new maenines, but whatever typo was decided on must depend on tho experience of the British Government. New Zealand would have to co-operate in any move for disarmament, but for the < present the Government agreed with the aims and objects of the Navy League.