THE NAVY LEAGUE.

Colonist, Volume XLIX, Issue 12019, 21 August 1907, Page 5 (Supplement)

THE NAVY LEAGUE.

BECOND ANNUAL MEETING.

The second annual meeting of members of the Nelson branch of the Navy League was held at the Chamber of Commerce rooms on July 25tb. In the absence of the President (Mr C. Y. Fell) Mr J. H. Cock was voted to the chair. The balance sheet presented by the Hon. Secretary and Treasurer (Mr H. R. Duncan) waa read and approved. It showed that the receipts for the year had amounted to J652 7s, and that after paying all expenses (including £19 14s 5d for badges, and £14 2s half subscriptions to the head office) a credit balanca of £5 12s remained. The report, wh:ch was read by the Secretary, stated that the Navy League was founded in January, 1895, by a band of patriotic men of standing who recognised the urgent necessity of arousing public interest in the naval requirements of the Empire, and realised that the maintenance of Britain's undisputed supremacy of the sea was essential not only .to the prosperity of the individual, but also to the existence of the nation as a world power, and that a continuity of preparation was the essence of national security and the only preventive of ruinous and discreditable war scares. The membership of the branch had been well maintained, and during the year a ladies' section of the League had been formed, with Mrs Mules as President and Miss Effie Maginnity aa Secretary. Regret was expressed that the latter had resigned, and it was stated that it was mainly through her efforts that the evening programme carried out on Trafalgar Day had proved so successful. Regret was also expressed that Mr Richmond, the Corresponding Secretary, bad been compelled to resign, owing to his departure from Nelson. The school branches were active, and showed a membership of over four hundred. Several prizes were offered by the League for the best es3ays on Naval History, and these had been presented to scholars at the Colleges and Central School, while the flag offered at the sports held on Trafalgar Day had been won by F. Gorman, of the Centra School. The Committee felt that, as the principal work of the League should be that of arousing in the young an interest in the great Empire to which they belong, and in how great a measure our liberty, religion, and prosperity depend on the absolute supremacy of the Navy, an assistant secretary should be appointed to deal with the work of instructing the school branches in the direction of distributing Navy League literature and to give occasional lectures (if agieeable to the principals) to the Colleges and Schools throughout the district. Referenca was made to the success of the Trafglgar Day celebrations, which resulted in the League's funds being augmented to the extent of £3 17s. and the thanks of the League were tendered to Miss Effie Maginnity, Miss Reevos, Mrs Brusewitz, Uerr Lemmer, Mr P. I. | Ledger, and many others for the assistance they rendered. The head office in London had kept them wellsupplied with literature dealing with matters concerning the Navy and Empire, and it was a matter for regret that the letters could not be sent to the Press for publication. It was stated that the present yanr hvi seen an important evolution in tho construcion of warships, and the Admiralty had again surprised the world by launching the largest and most formidable battleship the world had ever seen. The " Dreadnought, which was launched on the 10th February, 1906, had proved a great success. With a speed of 21 knots, she could fire a broaiskle of eight 12-inch guns or a weight of metal equal to (jSOOlbs on either side, and she could fire six ahead or six astern. Three other battleships of similar type were now being constructed, each with a speod of 23 knots, wbilo two ether battleship?, the Agamem on and Lord Nelson, would shortly be ready for commission. Thes3 would carry four twelve-inch and ten 9 2 guns, and hava a speed of 19)<> knots. Although other naval nations had set about building similar types of even larger vessels it was satisfactory to know, that in 1909 Great Britain would have four Dreadnoughts to Germany's two, and three Invineibles tv that Power's one. The cost of maintain ing the British r.avy was £36,800,030 annually, and while it was admitted that the two -power standard with a margin muit I c kept up, everyone would be gl;vl ti see a reduction in the ennrm vis amount spent on the Na?y, but it wns fully recognised that so long as war continuad it would be the height of insanity not to bo prepared to retain intact the magnincent Etijpire to which they all belo7ge3, and which the whole world recognised as standing for liberty and human progress. The nation muss nnt be behindhand in fleot construction, for in the event of war, should Great LJritain be found unprepared, besides losing her colonies, she would have her commerce destroyed and be quiculy starved into submission and reduced to the position of a third rate power. The annual value of tho sea-borne commcrc3 of the Empire amounted to £1. 400,000. 000, and it took three bund rod steamers a week to provide the homo country with food, at a cost of £400 per minute, while the value of mercantile ships amounted to £160,000,000. A strong navy was lequired to protect these vast interests, and Great Britain could not alone bear the immens9 cost of insuring the Empire, therefore it was gratifying to them in New Zealand that the Premier intended to bring in a Bill for the purpose of largely increasing the Colony's contribution towards the upkeep of the British navy. Finally, the Committee wished it to beunderstoodj that the Navy League was formed mainly to assist in helping to arouse public opinion to "the necessity of *maintaining the Britsh Navy in a state of absolute efficiency and supremacy, not in a spirit defiant, but in a spirit defensive. It desired to create in the minds of all, not a jingoistic hysteria or bombastic feeling having outlet in hurling deh'ance at other nations, but a deep thoughtful recognition of the Navy, which must be kept supreme in order that the Empire might be' kept intact and absolutely safe from aggression, so presarving that freedom which is ths envy of other peoples of the world, and which all of them enjoyed under the Britisn Constitutio. The report concluded by urging everyone "who had love of country at heart to help by joining the Navy League to swell the force of public opinion that must be behind all movements which are to strongly influence Governments." Mr F. G.Gibbs congratulated the Secretary on the very able and interesting report. He expressed satisfaction that the agitation against the authorities by certain members of the League at Home, which bad threatened disruption of the League, had ceased. He moved tne adoption of the report, which was seconded by Mr S. H. Strong and carried. Mr J. If. Cock said the report conveyed a very great deal of enlightenment on the objects of the League, and he would like to see it given full publicity. In regard to the recent position at headquarters, he said it had been one for grave concern, and he was glad that the common sensa [of the majority had caussd the League to escape a very great danger. - The agitation carried on by some members against the Government had a tendency to disrupt the League, and had led to the withdrawal of sonis of the members. He expressed satisfaction that Sir Joseph Ward had seen fit to propose an increase in naval subsidies by New Zealand in order to ensure greater protection, for if they wished peace tbe7 should be prepared for war.

Officers were elected as follows :— President, Mr C. Y. Pell (re-elect-ed); Vice-Presidents, Colonel Joyce, Messrs H. Baigent, J. H. Cock, and Judge Kenny (re-elected); Committee. Messrs S. H. Strong, F. I, Ledger, H. Brusewitz, O. King, P. Pond, F. G. Gibbs, C, Levien,

Captain Mnenab; hon secretary. Mr H. R. Duucnn (re elected)

Nine new members were elected

It was resolved, on the motion of Mr F. G. Gibbs, seconded by Mr S. H. Strong, thr.t the Nelson Branch of tbe Navy Laegue expresses its approval of the course proposed to be adopted by the New .Zealand Government in the direction of an enlarged contribution to the British Navy in preference to a separate colonial navy.

The meeting then closod with a vote of thanks to the chair.