EMPIRE DEFENCE.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18232, 17 November 1924, Page 8

EMPIRE DEFENCE.

LORD JELLICOE'S ADVICE "DON'T LET DOWN." ''After a great war there is a- ten dencv to let down," said Viscoun Jellicoe when addressing the Nav; League at "Wellington on Friday night "One defensive force I warn yoi never to let down, and that is the sei service of the Empire, whether it b the "-reafc mercantile marine upoi which" the prosperity of the Emp.r depends, or the Navy upon which th. safety of the mercantile marine de vou aro aware, by the Wasl inaton "Conference the total tonnap of "capital ships belonging to the yari ous nations of the world has bee: placed at a certain limit. There, ha boon no limit placed on tonnage o other descriptions and I would like t warn the people of -Wellington and o the Empire nob to let down th strength of those vessels upon wine the protection of your trade route depends. The Mother Country at th present time provides tho capital ship upon which the final result always mus depend. She has so far provided th submarines, the destroyers, and .th *rcat majority of the light cruiser upon which vour safety depends, an the time is coming when it is only fai to ask the Dominions to do their shar for the necessary defence of the trad routes of the Empire. I feel assure that this loyal Dominion of New Zei land will not bo behindhand in backm up the Mother Country in her efforts t provide adequate protection ior you trade routes. ,-,••• e ~ "The New Zealand division of tli Koval Navy has made a great start It 'lias started under most favourabl auspices, under a very high standar of efficiency. The standard of ik emits entering the New Zealand div sioii is of tho rery highest, They at doino- magnificently in tho trainin schools' at Home. Every letter I r< ceived from the present commande Admiral Holland, tells mo the New Ze land recruits are showing themselvc worthy of the very best the Empire lis ever "produced, and I feel sure tl high standard at which the New Zes land division lias commenced will l maintained by those who come after. "I have every confidence that tr New- Zealand people will add to th strength of the Now Zealand divisiq of the Royal Navy as time goes 01 but above all I would ask you to t sure that efficiency, and the higbe possible efficiency, is the goal at whu you aim. In a matter such as, thisthe efficiency of the Royal Navy— t-hei is only one standard and that is th highest possible standard. Nothir else is of «ny value. No second-rat standard is of the slightest use. Yo have the veiy best now. I would as you to be sure and maintain it."