EMPIRE SECURITY NAVAL

Taranaki Daily News, 5 November 1932, Page 7

EMPIRE SECURITY NAVAL

RELATION TO DISARMING

MR. S. M. BRUCE’S ATTITUDE

“HARMONY CAN BE FOUND’’

DEPENDENCE ON SEA TRADE

By Telegraph-r-Press Assn.—Copyright, ’ London, November 3.

“The maintenance of a naval strength adequate to ensure national security is nowise aggressive, for the British Navy is fundamentally defensive,” declared Mr. S. M. Bruce, Australian Resident Minister, responding for the Dominions at the Navy League annual dinner, which was attended by the Prince of Wales and many prominent personalities. “In Australia’s view,” proceeded Mr. Bruce, “the Empire Governments are discharging their, trust in respect to naval security and disarmament . and must seek a point at which harmony exists on the basis of Article VIII. of the Covenant between the. requirements of disarmament and of national security.” Mr. Bruce did not regard his presence at the dinner as paradoxical in View of his mission as Australia’s representative at the Disarmament Conference. Indeed, it was inseparably related. It was essential, notwithstanding the affirmation of the interdependence of armaments in the conference resolution, that the Empire should,- recognise that the basis of Imperial security was primarily naval. The Empire’s economic life, indeed its existence, depended oa seaborne traffic, and in view of these facts and the strength of other navies they must determine the extent of their reduction if they were to maintain national security. Many well-meaning but short-sighted'advocates of disarmament overlooked the fact that the Empire’s land and air forces were small. Consequently disarmament meant mainly naval.

‘Tf we reduce our naval strength to a point imperilling the security of every part of the Empire we must have large land and air forces. Britain’s naval reductions were an unparalleled example of a contribution towards the Disarmament Conference’s objective, but too little credit was given Britain, whose reductions carried naval security across the borderline, separating security from national risk.

"I believe that on the quantitative and qualitative basis already outlined as necessary for security under Article VIII. a logical basis exists, harmonising Anglo-American differences and bringing France and Italy within the framework Of the London Treaty.”

"KEEPING ALIVE THE SEA SENSE”

EMPIRE’S FUTURE NOT IN GENEVA

Rec. 7 p.m. London, Nov. 3. The Prince of Wales, proposing Nelson’s memory at the Navy League function, saidi: “I am profoundly convinced of the need for peace. The Navy League is-teaching all parts of the Empire that security lies in a sufficient and efficient navy. The league is keeping alive the sea senfee which civilisation, and mechanisation tend to make us forget,” . Mr.. L. C. M. S. Amery, formerly Dominions Secretary, proposing the Dominions, said Ottawa showed the .Empire’s future lay in .the. seven seas, not in the Lake of Geneva.