BRITISH NAVAL STRENGTH.

Otago Witness, Issue 3806, 22 February 1927, Page 72

BRITISH NAVAL STRENGTH.

NECESSITY FOR SUPREMACY. ( AUCKLAND, February 17. “We demand that every possible economy shall be made in the administration and organisation of these services which exist for our defence, but we do ask, and, in fact, insist, that their fighting efficiency shall not be lowered below the point necessary to protect British honour the world over.” In these words did Commander Arthur Marsden, R.N., who is a visitor from London, epitomise the objects of the Jsavy League. The commander ujps addressing members of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce at their annual luncheon meeting. In striking and graphic language he* brought before his hearers the importance of the British Navy to every part of the Empire. The lessons of the Great War were strongly emphasised. Touching briefly upon the latest proposals for the limitation of naval armaments, the speaker said he felt sure Britain would welcome the suggestions from America or from any other source that the tonnage of battleships or cruiscrg should be lowered, but under no circumstances could she agree to waive her right to be the predominant nation in maritime affairs. Her continued position as an Empire made protection imperative, and to sacrifice it would be suicidal. As a matter of fact, our present naval strength jyas below the necessary standard so far as ships were concerned, and our position relatively was only being maintained by superiority of our personnel. Commander Marsden paid a high tribute to the reputation gained at the Imperial Conference by the New Zealand Prime Minister, who in regard to his sound Imperialism was a worthy successor of the late Mr Massey. Mr Coates and Mr Bruce had assisted very materially at the conference by their steadfast adherence to an Imperial attitude that, was not so fully appreciated by some of the other members of the great British Federation.