NAVAL POWER

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2887, 27 September 1916, Page 6

NAVAL POWER

THE WORK OP THE FLEET ANNUAL MEETING OF NAVY LEAGUE .The Hon. A. M. Myers, Minister oS Munitions and Supplies, was the chief speaker at the annual meeting of the Welliii&tin branch <jf tlio Navy League,, lield in the Chamber of Commerce Hall last evening. Hip. meeting was a large one, the hall being well tilled. Mr. Myers said that tlio league had long performed a patriotic . work of vital importance by impressing upon the mind of British people the need for a strong Navy. Tlio communities of the Empire had had very great faith in the Navy before the war, and that faith had proved to be very well founded. The league could claim some at least of tlio credit for the maintenance of the Fleet which had held tho seas for the Allies in the time of trial. Mr. Myers commended the work of the league in connection with the schools, where the facts about tho Navy, and the importance of naval power, hnd been taught to the growing citizens of New Zealand. A hundred years ago Britain had fought a great war in order to crush military despotism, and had emerged from .tliat war with full command of ths sea£ The same end must be a condition of peaco at tha conclusion f <A tho present war. Tlio British Navy had always been an instrument of freedom, to bo used against the despot and tho bully j it would retain its proud role in the yoars to come. It was a fact that somp'people had not yet realised the full value of the contribution made by tha British Fleet to tho success of the Air lies in tho present war. The trutli | was that but for tho activitios of the" British Navy, Germany would hare won the_ war before the end of 1914. Tho achievements of the Navy were the full and final justification of the stand taken % tho Navy Leaguo over a very long period of years. Britain's warships had made it impossible for Germany to emerge victorious from the war. Mr. Myers mentioned the papture of Germany's colonies, and tho destruction or imprisoning of Germany's mercantile marine. German commerco had been driven from tha seas, the German fleet had been rcndred impotent, and the seas had been, kept clear for tho transport of millions of soldiers and millions of tons of supplies for the service of the Allies. All this had been dono by the British Fleet at a cost that represented a very small insurance premium on the interests concerned. Referring to tho future of the Navy; Mr. Myers said that ho believed the naval forces required to represent the Empire in the Pacifio should be provided by Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, leaving the North Sea and the Mediterranean to tho United Kingdom. It was necessary to create a naval spirit in tha younger countries, and nothing would, do that so surely as the maintenance of naval forces, which would pass automatically under the control of the Imperial authorities in time of war. He claimed that Australia's local navy had already justified itself. ■■ He agreed that the local naval units must form part of one Imperial Navy, trained in peace, so as to form an organised, whole under single control in time of war. In conclusion, Mr. Myers said that the British Navy of to-day, ships and men alike, had proved worthy of the splendid traditions of the past. He hoped that the Navy League would long remain a factor in the maintenance of British naval strength-. (Applause.)

Tho Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luko) was in the chair, and referred briefly to the work of the league. He said that tho efforts of the enthusiasts who had preachcd the doctrine of a powerful liavy in tho days before tho war had been an important factor in saving tho Empire at tho time of crisis. Tho Navy League had always been read;? to fight against proposals that involved any weakening of the Fleot, and the valuo of its labours had. been seen in the mighty achievements of the British; Navy since tho outbreak of tho war. Mr. Luke referred to the good work done by the crows of tho Pyramus and the Philomel during tho past two years, and . said that New Zealand peoplo wei*e very proud of tho part played by those vessels in the sea campaigns. Tho Mayor expressed a hope that, tho work of tho New Zealand Ministry of Munitions would have fruit after the war in the development of a capacity to. produce . munitions within the Dominion. Ho moved the adoption of the annual . report which ■ dealt, with tho work of. tho league during the pa6t year. Mr. J. B. Harcourt seconded the mo* tion, which was carried. Mr. C. E. Smith made an appeal for increased. public interest in tho work of the league, which ought to have some thousands of 'members in a city, (iko Wellington. Tho league was already a force for good, and its scope would bo extended materially if tho membership were increased. He moved that provision should bo made for tho representation of lady mem- ; bors on the oxecutivs of the league. j

The motion was_ seconded and car-' ricd. ,

The following officers were elected :— Patron, His Excellency tho Governor •president, the Mayor of Wellington.! (Mr. J. P. Luke); vice-presidents,! Eight Hons. W. P. Massey and Sir! Joseph Ward, Hon. A. M. Myers, Sir : John Findlay, Hon. W. Fraser, Sin Walter Buchanan, Messrs. J. 6. W.-, Aitkeu, 6. Shirtcliffe, J. P. Firth, J. : B. Harcourt, C. E. Daniell, and T. M.' Wilford, M.r.; honorary secretary, Mr. R. W. Shallcrass; committee, Colonel G. F. C. Campbell, Major A. F. Roberts, Messrs. A. Atkins, C. B. Morison, J. B. Harcourt, C. It. Smith, R. Darroch, A. F. Wiren, C. W. Palmer,, and B. Keesing. Mr. Harcourt moved that tho league should place on record its very warm appreciation of tlie great services rendered the league by tlio retiring secre- • tary, Mr. 0. W. Palmer. He said that Mr. Palmer's work on behalf of tho league, over a long period of years, had been felt throughout the Dominion, and had secured many hundreds of members. The success of tho league in New Zealand bad been due largely to Mr. Palmer's efforts. The motion was supported by several, members and carried with loud applause.