DEFENCE OF EMPIRE

Taranaki Daily News, 19 February 1938, Page 8

DEFENCE OF EMPIRE

By Telegraph—Press Association.

NEW ZEALAND'S PART GIFT OF NEW CRUISER? NAVAL MAN'S OPINIONS

Wellington, i'eb. 18. The need for adequate naval defence to maintain the sea routes of tihe Empire was urged by Commander C. H. T. P 'mer, - N.V.R. (retired), president of the Navy League conference, when delegates from the New Zealand branches of the 'oague met at Wellington. "Our remote geographical position necessarily removes us somewhat from the day-to-day excitements of European countries, and this fact may perhaps be the means of lulling us into a false sense of security," sald Commander Palmer. "We may think that because we cannot be actively involved in the politics of the Old World we are thereby exempted from the consequences of the mistakes and follies of European policy to-day. "Lord Lloyd, president of the Navy League, stated in a letter to me that he believed the international situation and the present weakness of Imperial defences to be so serious that he felt it essential for any hope of security that all the Dominions, as well as the Mother Country, should strain every nerve to foster and to accelerate the carrying out of the rearmament programme. Lord Lloyd further urges those in New Zealand who appreciate the dangers of the position to do all in their power to arouse public interest and to represent to the Government the necessities of the situa4 °n "War May Come Suddenly." "War may come, and very suddenly, without cause or reason of any kmd as far as we are concerned. We have seen what recently has happened _ to countries which were unable to defend their lands, rights or privileges and we cannot expect any better fate if we do not efBciently and fully do our share toward national defence. "There is no doubt that the reputation gained by New Zealand in theminds of the f ' jple of Britain was enhanced by the efforts .made during the war by this young Dominion," continued Commander Palmer. "The gift by the Government of those days of a first-class, fully-equipped battle-cruiser to the Admiralty is not likely to be forgotten. I fully believe that to-day is the time for a similar gesture of assistance to the national need, and if New Zealand offered the cost of another cruiser and promised to train sufflcient men to man her it would be not only a striking demonstration of practlcal loyalty, but also a wonderful proof of our sense of indebtedness to the Mother Country. , ... "We should also provide ourselves with minesweepers, minelayers and motor torpedo-boats for coastal defence in time of war, and in our plans we should always have in mind complete co-operation with the Air Force and with the Anny. Commander Palmer said it should not be necessary to call away units of the Royal Navy at a time when they really could not be spared. "We cannot provide Royal Navy offlcers, because we do not train them," he said. • "Neither can we provide Royal Naval Reserve offlcers, because there are so few New Zealanders able to qualify; but we can provide good numbers of amateur seamen who would make excellent naval volunteer reservists, who would be available in a time of emergency." • Lord Lloyd's Letier. The letter recelved by Commander Palmer from Lord Lloyd was reSd to the delegates by the secretary, Mr. R. Darroch. Lord Lloyd dealt with four points. First, he urged the development of a sea cadet corps wherever possible. This was practically the only youth movement, he said, that inculcated that discipline that. was urgently needed to-day, and it was also valuable in developing a reserve of young men ready to serve at sea. Lord Lloyd next urged the development of a Royal Naval Volunteer Supplementary Reserve. There were many men with sea experience who could not join the R.N.V.R., but who could serve at sea in an emergency. Such men could .form the supplementary reserve. Referring to a suggestion made by Commander Palmer that New Zealand should have motor torpedo-boats for cbastal defence, Lord Lloyd said he hesitated to advise. It was true that a number of these vessels had been built for the Royal Navy, but he considered that the question whether New Zealand should make a contribution'in that direction was a matter for the Imperial Government when considering Imperial defence. The fourth matter referred to by Lord Lloyd was the training of men for the merchant service. "I believe that in time of war we may well find ourselves with a serious fear of deficiency both of British merchant ships and British seamen," he wrote, "but it is necessary to bear in mind that the training of seamen for the merchant service must be considered in conjunction with the opportunities available for employment." Lord Lloyd expressed the opinion that a New Zealand training scheme could be established if a guarantee of employment for New Zealand seamen could be obtained from local shipping interests. The conference declded to approach the Government regarding the establishment of a training ship at one of the Dorts.