ADEQUATE NAVAL DEFENCE

Southland Times, Issue 23436, 17 February 1938, Page 4

ADEQUATE NAVAL DEFENCE

Plea By Conference

Of League

PAYMENT OF COST OF CRUISER SUGGESTED

(United Press Association) WELLINGTON, February 16. The need for adequate naval defence to maintain the sea routes of the Empire was emphasized by Commander C. H. T. Palmer, R.N.V.R. (retired), president of the Navy League Conference, when the delegates of the New Zealand branches of the league met today. Commander Palmer referred to New Zealand’s share in naval defence, and expressed the opinion that the Dominion could offer the British Government the cost of a cruiser and also undertake the training of enough men to man such a vessel. New Zealand should also provide herself with mine-sweep-ers, mine-layers, and motor-torpedo boats for coastal defence. He said that the conference was being held to establish closer co-operation between the branches and to intensify interest in the activities of the league. . Both these matters were important in view of the decline of the sea spirit in the Dominion.

The delegates to the conference were welcomed by the Mayor (Mr T C. A. Hislop). A greater contribution by New Zealand to the Navy was supported, and the encouragement and the fostering of a sea spirit in New Zealand, with every endeavour to increase the number of New Zealanders in both the Royal Navy and the Merchant Service, the means to this end being set out. The Government is to be approached to establish a training ship in one of the harbours. GREATER PAYMENT URGED The following Auckland remit was carried.* “In view of the national emergency and the endeavours of the Mother Country to provide at huge expense for the adequate defence and security of the Empire, New Zealand should pay a greatly increased share of the cost of naval defence, considering its absolute dependence on the safety of British merchant shipping.” A Canterbury remit providing for Dominion headquarters to be Provisionally at Wellington was .carried and the decision will be submitted to the branches for ratification. A proposed gift to the recently launched war vessel Maori was discussed and on the suggestion of Commander A. D. Boyle (Canterbury) it was decided to present a Maori figurehead from which the ships bell could be hung. Commander Boyle, who served for six years in H.M.S. New Zealand, said a similar gift by the Maoris to that ship had proved a most acceptable one. Mr J. Sutherland Ross (Otago) was elected president for the ensuing period and Mr R. Darroch (Wellington) secretary. The business of the conference concluded during the afternoon, and the remits carried were presented by a deputation to the Minister of Marine (the Hon. P. Fraser).