WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 1921. THE R.S.A. AND THE NAVY

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 229, 22 June 1921, Page 6

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 1921. THE R.S.A. AND THE NAVY

Br its constitution and record the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association is well qualified to take an influential part in the life of the community. Few, if any, organisations of the kind in other parts of the Empire are as thoroughly representative of the men who fought for their country in the Great Avar. Differences of opinion have, of course, arisen at times within the ranks of the association, but it 3 record and career to date represent a highly creditable achievement in welding returned soldiers together in finited Bunport ’of a common and well-considered policy. Very wisely, the association has kept itself clear of party politics! entp.nglements. There is no doubt that as a result it has been greatly strengthened in promoting the objects, for which it primarily exists, of seeing that, due provision is made for repatriation, and for the care

of sick tfr disabled soldiers and dependants. The non-party standpoint of the association and its representative character at the-same time lend added weight and significance to the public-spirited sten it has now taken in recommending that interest on the canteen funds (less an amount to be spent on the preparation and publVafion of regimental histories) shall be apnlied Over a period of years to such objects ns will best secure public recognition and satisfaction of the requirements of Imperial naval defence. Tim gift ns a gift is reneroiis. hut the U.S.A, is even better entitled to public rrratitndc for the snirit in which the gift is made. That spirit, manifestly is dominated by an enlightened regard for the security of the great, free Empire with which tho fate and welfare 'of this Dominion aro so completely identified The gift of the R..S.A. >s freely trade ns a iwnns of assisting to concentrate nuhlic attention on the

broad essentials of naval defence, and it'will be noted that the resolutions in which its attitude on this vital question wore defined by the delegates assembled at if« annual conference agrge closely with the views to-day expressed by JI R. Lloyd Gfiorgp., in his address at the opening of the Imperial Conference-? in regard to the. minimum naval needs of the Empire. After declaring that Britain was willing to discuss with America any proposal for ih" limitations of armaments the British Prime Minister added•

Meantime we cannot forgot that the life of our. Empire, is based on sea-power. Therefore wa look to measures which our security requires. We aim at nothing more, nnd cannot bo content with lo«s. The Empire is- the saving fact in a distracted world. Liberty is its binding principle. Our duty here is to present lhe ideals of this great, association of peoples in willing loyalty to one Sovereign, nnd to keep our strength, Ixdh moral and material, a. united |K>wer for justice, liberty, nnd ponce. It is particularly obvious that adequate provision for naval defence is demanded as an indispensable safeguard of the free institutions of tho British Empire, and undoubtedly it is only right that New Zealand, an the 8.6. A. -urges, should forthwith assume Its due share of

the burden entailed. The same obligation, of course, rests on other Dominions. Theso self-evident facts must constitute the Imsis of Imperial naval policy irrespective of success or failure in the efforts that aro now being made to reach an agreement with other nations In regard to the limitation of armaments. In theory, our national obligations in the matter of naval defence are very freely recognised, but there is still a good deal to be done in translating theory into practice. None, assuredly, are better entitled to urge that this country should take up its fair share of the naval burden than the men who have not only served it in the field, but, as the flower of its manhood in the present generation, are bound in the immediate future to take a very important part in directing and controlling, its national affairs. The R.S.A. is making a not inconsiderable financial sacrifice in its effort to forward the campaign in favour of n sound policy of naval defence. The all but complete unanimity with which this sacrifice was approved by the representatives of thirty-six thousand returned soldiers -offers perhaps the best assurance that it will not be made in vain.

It may be hoped that the returned soldiers’ offering will in many ways stimulate public sentiment and action in the interests of an adequate Navy. In itself the gift will provide over a tek - m%of years an annual amount substantial enough to forward very usefully the objects designated. Details, apparently. have yet to be settled, but the R.S.A. contribution could hardly be expended better than upon such objects as the establishment of naval scholarships and “assistance to the Sea Scout movement as a means of training New Zealand’s hoys to a love of the sea, and to inculcate in them the principles of seamanship, and the virtues of hardihood and courage.” But that both are essential, it might almost be said that it is more important that its youth should be trained in a love of the sea than that the Dominion should make a fair financial contribution to the upkeep of the Navy. The most outlying Dominion of an Empire which as a whole is based on sea-power cannot pay. in money alone the price of naval security. If New Zealand is to contribute worthily to its own naval defence and that of the Empire, it must rear a. race of hardy and competent mariners. Although yachting and motor-boating are developing under some limitations in «, country of storm-beaten coasts and widely-separated harbours, it is one of the proud memories of the war that New Zealand contributed its quota to the motor-boat patrol, which did yeoman service against the enemy submarines a.nd in other forms of naval activity. Much may ta done to foster a Jove of the sea and forward generally the healthy training of boyhood by encouraging in this country the Sea Scout movement which has develoned so successfully in the United Kingdom and in other nnrfs of the Empire. It is desirable, also, that scholarships should be established to assist lads who show special antititdc for a naval career. Expended in forwarding such objects as these, the •’•onerous gift of the R.S.A. would serve purnoses in every wav worthy of the spirit, in which it is made.