NAVY LEAGUE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 285, 28 August 1919, Page 6

NAVY LEAGUE

DELEGATES RECEIVED BY ADMIRAL JELLICOE

ADVISED TO "CARRY ON"

RETENTION OF OUR SEA POWER I Early on Tuesday morning Admiral Viscount Jellicoe received on board H.M.S. Now Zealand the delegates to the Dominion Conference of the Navy League. The deputation was introduced by Mr. Alexander Boyle, chairman of the conference and president of the Canterbury branch of the league, and consisted of the following; representatives:— llesdames J. Darling (Wellington Ladies' Auxiliary), S. Knell (Picton), E. Williams (Masterton), A. ,Lane (Carterton), Bradney-Williams (Marton); Messrs. J. D. Harcourt, E. Darroch, and Colonel G. P. C. (Campbell (Wellington), C. Palmer (Auckland), W. Walton (Canterbury), Guy Williams (Waimate), Colonel A. I\ Eoborts (Dunedin). Captain White-Parsons, S.N.E., and Mr. C. P. H. Pollock, lion, secretary to the conference (Hawke's Bay). <■ After the chairman had expressed the welcome of all the New Zealand branches to the Admiral, and thanked him for-so kindly giving those present an opportunity of meeting him, Mr. Boyle continued by asking J.ord Jellicoe if he would favour the league with some advice in its present work and more particularly with reference to its future operations in New Zealand. Lord Jellicoe, after thanking those assembled for their welcome, said:. "Before I can say anything of an authoritative nature, it is necessary for me to report officially to the proper authorities. But there are perhaps one or two matters which are of interest to 1 New Zealanders generally, and if my views on these matters are of any value, L shall be very pleased to make them known. "One point of very real importance is that,the Navy League should be absolutely and entirely free from any suspicion of political bias; unless this is the case, the whole value of the work of the league is seriously prejudiced. 1 have always heard from almost every quarter, and from the short time I have been here, I can readily believe it, that if there is a Navy League which has (lone valuable work in the past, it is the New Zealand branch of the league, and the patriotic naval, spirit which undoubtedly is indisputably strong here, is due largely to the efforts of your league. 1 agree with you that tho main and most important part of the league's work is the educational part, because what* is -taught to the child at sohool, and the impressions there' created are apt to bo of a lasting nature.' and whon the onild grows up, if he has absorbed the precepts as to tho value of sea power to the Empire, I do not imagine that the beliefs there inculcated will be, easily

lost. - ■ 1 . "On the other hand, of course, it is of little use realising the value of sea power, unless it results in producing that power, and that oan only bo attained by tho expenditure of pounds, shillings and pence.'. ' . "You have pointed out that New Zealand's contribution per head has in tho past been something like G9. Bd. I am afraid that if New Zealand is going to take a share in the maintenance of the defence of the Empire in the future, m proportion to her population and. trade, her contribution will be considerably more than that. The Navy estimates in the United Kingdom in the year before the war were slightly under fifty million pounds, and in view of the large increase in pay, wliioh has been granted, and the increased cost of materials, supplies, and stores, I do not seo much possibility oi future estimates being much reduced. 1 doubt if it will be possible for tho estimates to be less than Jl per head of the population of the United Kingdom, say 45 million pounds, and if the United Kingdom, with its own 'heavy burden of debt, oan furnish a pound per head of its population, I hope and trust that the i)ominions mil find themselves able to do tho same. , "New Zealand's contribution can be one of two sorts, either in money or of kind. If it is in kind I imagine that the' sentiment of New Zealanders would move them to maintain a local unit ot the Imperial Navy, suob unit being manned, as far'as possible, by officers 'and men of New Zealand birth. New Zealanders would then see, not only the ships, but also tho men who man them. Tho ships would bo termed the 'New Zealand Unit of tho Royal Navy.' In such a manner tho loyal a-nd patriotic spirit of New Zealand would be a visible and tangible thing, and it would be apparent to tne Empire, and the whole world, that New Zealand had achieved something definite, in which, she could take a legitimate pride. , "One of the finest things m the world, for creating discipline and efficiency is the spirit of esprit de corps, and if Now Zealand and Australia &ich have units-in tho Eoyal Navy,, and the two meet, the spirit of rivalry is-bound to be set up, and this would result in increased eto-c-iency. As in "football, cricket, and other sports, competition makes for eh. oienoy. . .. , T M "Tho advice therefore that I woulu offer to tho league is to continue its extremely valuable work. First, as 3 011 yourselves recognise, from tho > educ«i* tional viewpoint, and secondly, if theis are any opposing elements in tho country on the subject of contributions J n money or in kind, to tiy and bring these different poiiuJ of viow together, by pointing out that thero is no real difference in opinion. Whether New Zealand gives in money or in kind tho spirit is exactly the same—it is a contribution to tho Royal Navy. In this matter I hope thero will be unanimity of opinion in tbls country. "The training of youths of this country would be a matter for your Defenco Department. There are, of course, one or two things to bo realised. Unless either the ships change about and getinto big fleets, or the officers and men do, they cannot become efficient. You cannot: make a navy out of a few ships. Tho New Zealand unit would have to work with the Eoyal Navy in war, and unless it had done so in peace, therfc might easily be a lack of cohesion, and U loss of efficiency at a most critical period in our history. "There are two ways to achieve ths desired result. First, either to let tho unit, as a nnit, work with tho Eoyal Navy; and, secondly, to change the officer's and men about., Tho better way is for tho oflicors and men to go in other snips. Thus she will obtain unity of thought. Interchange make 3 for unity of thought, and unity of thought in a navy makes for success. Not only should wo serve under one flag;- wo should be ona in thought, one in discipline, one in our aims, ideals, and loyalty. "You ask- mo, Would it be necessary for New Zealand to have a naval oollege? This, I think, would not be worth while for some time yet. "You also inquire whether boys should go direotly to the Navy from the Naval College in Australia. Yes, and it is a most excellent training college. About 80 cadets join per annum, and they remain for four years. "In conclusion, I would say that I hope there will be no attempt to tie any New Zealand unit to New Zealand shores. This would lie fatal to efficiency. Neither should thero bo , any jealousies between tho different parts of Now Zealand as to where the naval bases should be. Nothing but strategical considerations and the suitability of the locality generally should be allowed to govern sucli a matter as this. "f thank you again, ladies and gentlemoil, for your presence here to-day, and for the valuable work in which you 'aro voluntarily engaged in continually promoting the spirit of the British Navy." =±====f