EMPIRE AND THE FLEET.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1554, 25 September 1912, Page 7

EMPIRE AND THE FLEET.

AND THE COLONIES- | LORD ISLINGTON ON UNITY, j IMPORTANT SPEECH. NAVY LEAGUE CONFERENCEVery important questions were raised nt tho second annual conference of ilic Nov.- Zealand Navy League, which was opened in tho Town Hall yesterday by his 'Excellency Lord Islington. Mr. li. 1). D. M'Lcan (Napier) presided, and tho ■ other delegates present were Kev. E. Chambers (Canterbury), Captain Trolcsiven (Canterbury), Mr. G. 11. Thomson, J[.l>. (Ottigo), Messrs. C. K. Smith and ]{. Darrock (Wellington), Mr. C. W. Palmer (Nelson), IPr. J. C. Craigie, M.l'. (Timaru), and Mr. G. N. G. Arbor (Timaru and Temuka). Tho Hon. James Allen (Minister for Defence) was also present. The conference yesterday was characterised by two important speeches. LORD, ISLINGTON. ,' FOREWORD ON CHANGES COMING. Lord Islington, after covering certain phases of thought relating to sea power, went on to state that Britain's most vulnerable side, in the event of war, was her maritime side. In this respect tho interests, as between tho Mother Country and the Dominions, were mutual. The grent factor in accentuating tho problem was the enormous increase in naval development among other Powers. In 1902 tho share of liritain in the world's naval expenditure was 37.3 per cent; in 1!)11—only nine years later—it had fallen to 30.5 per cent. On the other hand, Germany showed an increase in expenditure of ,£12,000,000, and the United States a similar amount. Tho total expenditure on the British Navy' to-day from all sources amounted (o .£48,000,000, a stupendous sum for tho year. Of the charge Great Britain contributed no less than .C-15,000,000, or 91 per cent.

Can Britain Pay Alone? He could not help reflecting how—with no immediate anticipations of mitigation or decease in this proportion—how long the taxpayers of Great Britain would be nble to pay 50 disproportionate a share of the bill for expenditure, on naval armaments to provide security for so many other people living outside her shores-. Great Change Foreshadowed. It was, quite time that the Dominions to-ilay were awakening in a most practical manner to the position, -and had shown some energy in a practical direction. He hoped that in the not far distant future the self-governing Dominions would assume full statutory partnership in the responsibilities as well as the advantages of Empire. He hoped that the time was near for a modification of existing relations between tho Mother Country and tho Dominions which would provide for the admission of tho peoples of tho overseas Dominions and possessions to 0. common citizenship of a.n Imperial character, with an adequate measure of representation in an Imperial Council. New Zenland had not only paid a contribution in proportion to her population with the oilier Dominions by u large grant, but she had added tho gift of a battleship cruiser. (Hc,ar, hear.)

Referring to tho Imperial Council, his Excellency stated that it had undergone considerable development, and to-day it fulfilled a most valuable duty in the organisation of military and naval defence. One Control Only. His Excellency then went on to say that there wcro several lessons to bo learned. Tho i first was that the Navy should be efficient and effectivo for defence, and this co'uld come only under concentrated control. Isolated action would be disastrous in the case of naval warfare in a widespread Empire. It was by united action alone that strategic problems couldbe solved, and the full forces of the Navy be made avniluble in time of emergency. In conclusion, ho hoped that tho representatives of the country would give favourable consideration to tho resolutions of the conference.' The Navy League in New Zealand had shown, in a most practicable way, what a valuable organisation it was in regard to the promotion of public opinion as to tho neoessity of the preparedness of tho Navy. "It is only through preparedness and organisation that we can guarantee for ourselves the peace and tranquillity necessary for progress along the path of moral, industrial, and social development." (Applause.) HON. JAMES ALLEN. IN A HUNDERD YEARS-WHAT? The Hon. James Allen (Minister for Defence) moved a hearty vote of thanks to his Excellency for his interesting address. The speaker was qui to sure that his Excellency's words, that there was a possibility of New Zealand being taken somewhat more into the confidence of tho Mother Country, would be welcomed throughout New Zealand with delight. (Hear, hear.) In a Hundred Years—What Pivot of Empire?

The pivot of the Empire to-day might bo Great Britain, bat who was to say I what it would be in fifty or n hundred years to come? Perhaps in that timo Great Britain would no longer be the pivot. This made the problem intensely interesting. He said Hint they could notexist as an Emniro unless the real foundations were absolutely secure in plans made for future contingencies. -Perhaps Canada might become- the pivot instead of Great Britain—what did it matter to them as long as it stood for the old traditions? He thought that such a possibility would make a vast difference to New Zealand. Centralised control in the Atlantic and tho North Sea might bo essential to-day, but (hey must not loso sight of the fact, that thev had responsibilities in all the individual parts of tho Empire.

Problems of the Pacific. He could not take his mind away from Hio responsibilities in the Pacific Ocean. With these always in view centralisation in European waters was not; all that a New Zealander' could desire, and personally ho looked forward with some, alarm to such an isolation, in the Pacific. The Pacific problem was a serious one with its dangers to (he shores of British colonies. He thought that so long as the British fleet, remained in command of European waters there was no danger to the Eastern shores, but. no arrangement could be satisfactory to those living in the Pacific unless the British fleet commanded the Pacific as it commanded the Northern Seas. Ho did not think what had taken place to the China unit wns satisfactory to New Zealand. The speaker said that no self-respecting- New Zealander could put up for any length of timo with the position they would find cxistiujr in the course of a few months in New Zealand waters. No self-rosnrefing New Zealander would permit the Mother Country to send her battle-cruisers, and cruisers and submarines here to pay for them. He was of opinion that one of the New Zealand harbours .should be made safe as n uavat station. He regretted that the oiler made by Australia to train New Zealand officers in their Naval College had not been necepled. He hoped that if the offer were made again it would not 1« declined. They could not divorce themselves from Australia from a defence point of view. The country realised the necessity for paying for its naval and military defence. The speaker regretted that the Mini-tcr for Defence, and, indeed, the whole Cabinet, was not,more closely in lum-h with naval matters. The contribution towards naval defence, he slated, came under the slalule, and the Minister for Defence had little to do villi naval matters. Before closing, Mr. Allen made some ijjriei remarks rceardina his Excellency's

coming departure, Ho thought that his Excellency would go away with a keener interest in Imperial matters than when ho came. (Applause.) OTHER BUSINESS. The Eev. Mr. Eliot Chambers moved, and Mr. G. N. G. Arbor seconded:— "That it bo a recommendation to the Government of New Zealand to provide for tho registration on their discharge ot all New Zealanders who have served in tho R.N. Special Reservo of tho It.N. and drawn increased pay, or of thoso with R.N. or R.N.H. training who are not otherwise enrolled in any R.N. Reserve, so that a rorord may be kept of tho whereabouts of all trained men, seainon, or engine-room staff, whose services would be invaluable in case of need." Mr. Chambers explained that his ob|eet in moving tho motion was (hat hundreds of the men who had served in the R.N.R., had after completing tho necessary service, never been heard of again. He thought that it would bo an excellent idea, if a register were kept of all the men who had done service, «>' that, in tho time of need, they could lie communicated with, and thus render aetivo service it' they liked. The resolution was carried. A Fleet Reserve, Mr. G. N. G. Arbcr, on behalf of tho Timarn Branch, moved:— "That the institution of a New Zealand branch of the Royal Fleet Reserve be no longer delayed, and that a deputation from this conference, including those delegates who are also members of Parliament, be appointed .to approach the Government, nnd urge that steps be taken to institute this force forthwith."

In moving the motion. Mr. Arbcr pointed out that the Royal Fleet Reserve, was a very different thing from the Royal Naval Reserve. The distinction is that, that men enrolled in the Royal Fleet Reserve were men who were (or should be) fit to take their place in the company of any fully-commissioned ship on active service by reason of the knowledge and experienco gained after a period of at least five years' training. The Royal Naval Reserve man, on the contrary, was one who came up for a period of three weeks' drill' each year, without having had any previous naval training—or, in some cases, any nautical training-of any sort, and whose. value was a very questionable one. To bo of any use in a seagoing ship, continued the spraker, a man must be used not only to the sea, but also the very strict and necessary discipline which life in the Royal Niivy entails, and tho large majority of the present R.N.R. men wcra not seafaring men at all, but were composed of wharf labourers who frequent the waterside of our seaport towns. ,

"The force itself is almost a farcical one," stated Mr. Arber. He continued Instating that the money expended on this body and the administration of it is being, if not wasted, at any rate not utilised to the best: advantage, and that the value to the Navy in particular, and the country in general, was practically nil.

Mi'. Arber suggested (hat this money might be expended witli u very considerable profit on a properly-organised and efficient force which would, in a space of a few years, make the New Zcnlnnder as a sailor of the Royal Navy, a factor to be reckoned with when Imperial Defence proposals were being discussed. He was of opinion that when other portions of the Empire wero making the question of Imperial naval defence the most prominent one in their politics, it was snrelv not i fitting that New Zealanders who, jio stated, "claim to have been the first to rally to tho assistance of the Admiralty by the presentation of the fine battlecruiser which bears this country's name, should rest on our laurels, or regard our assistance as being in anything moro than an introductory stage." Mr. Arber went on to snv that the value of the gift of this vessel was admitted, but he was strongly of opinion that an even more useful means of help could be devised by which New Zealand would not only bear her just share of tho bui'don of Imperial maritime defence, but might reap an advantage from tho manner in which this share was contributed. In view of the immense figures into which tho annual naval estimates now run—a sum exceediii" .£'5,000,000-1 he sum of .£IOO,OOO which J\ew Zealand at present contributes, does not and cannot strengthen the hand of the Imperial Government to an extent which can bo appreciably noticed. "I do not say that New Zealand can by such action as I have proposed," ho 'stated, "solve much of this problem, but she could in this wny go far to assist Hie setting up of nn Eastern Fleet of Empire, tho first steps of whhh hnvo been undertaken in a courageous manner by our neighbours in Australia." The motion was carried unanimously.

Annual Cadetships, Mr. Darrock moved, and Mr. Chani'bprs seconded, that the conference strong]*urges on tho Government to institute n't least two cadetships annually—to bo of tho vnluo of ,£IOO each, for New Zealand boys desirous of entering tho commissioned ranks of the Royal Navy. Such cadetships to be tenable at Osborno or such other naval colleges in Gngltm.il or Australia as the Admiralty may from timo to time tix upon, and to bo open to candidates passing tho necessary'qualifying examination and receiving the approval if his Excellency tho Governor of the Dominion for the time being. Tho cadotships to be additional to tho vacancies already at tho disposal of the Dominion Government with which they are in no way to interfere. Training of Boys. Mr. G. 31. Thompson moved flint tho subjects remitted by tho Otngo Branch bo approved. Theso were: That additional provision bo mado for the training of lads as seamen, (a) by the New Zealand Government providing a second and larger training ship; (b) the establishment of shore depots; (c) amendment of the Defenco Act giving boys the choice of either marine or military instruction. Jlr. C. It. Smith seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously.

Our Navy Contribution—Too Small. It was unanimously resolved, on tho motion of the Key. Chambers, seconded by Mr. Arbor:

"That in the opinion of tin's league the present contribution of New Zenland to the maintenance of tho Imperial Navy is inadequate, in view of the fact that our safety and independenco and the security of our over-sea trade aro wholly dependent on tho existence of a supremo Navy." Text-books. Moved by Mr. Darrock, and ssoonded by Mr. Thompson, that it be a recommendation to the Education Department that "Britain on and Beyond the Sea" be adopted as a school text-book; that more Navv League maps of the world be procured for distribution amongst schools, and that they take steps to obtain »ietures of naval subjects, for schools, thus following the example of the educational authorities in Great Britain.—Carried. Wanted—Redoubled Efforts. A further resolution, moved by the Rev. Eliot Chambers: "That this conference of delegates, representing all branches of the Navy League in New Zealand, desires to heartily congratulate tbo parent body in London on the excellent work which it has dono by urging upon tho British Government the importance of an allpowerful Navy, and hopes that it will continue its efforts with redoubled energy, and assures them of our loyal and continned support." The resolution was carried. The conference adjourned until 11 a.m. to-day.