NAVAL DEFENCE

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 229, 22 June 1921, Page 8

NAVAL DEFENCE

STRIKING PRONOUNCEMENT BY N.Z.R.S.A.

ONE-POWER • STANDARD NECESSARY

EQUAL EMPIRE PER CAPITA LEVY URGED

INCOME OF CANTEEN FUNDS VOTED

PUBLIC RECOGNITION AND SUPPORT SOUGHT

The returned soldiers of New Zealand, through their national organisation, have declared in favour of a strong Imperial Navy. They urge the Government to "use every effort to secure the adoption of a one-Power standard as an irreducible minimum, and they recommend that New Zealand should show its earnestness in the matter by assuming at once its full share of the cost of the naval defence of the Empire. The text of the resolution adopted (almost unanimously) by tho recent Dominion Conference of the N.Z.R.S.A. on this subject is given below. An interesting and important feature of the decision is a proposal that the interest from tho Canteen Funds—the property of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force—which amount to over 4)80,000, should be used to promote public recognition of the vital importance of naval defence. The N.Z.R.S.A. believes that the principle embodied in the League of Nations is sound, but that under present conditions the British Empire cannot afford to be inferior in naval strength to any other Power.

Since its incoption in 1916 the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association has primarily, and very naturally, occupied itself with the immediate economic needs of the ex-service man. With the gradual, repatriation and settlement of the men, however, the association has latterly turned its attention to public and national problems, remembering that its duty to its liulivldual members is to safeguard their interests not only as returned soldiers, but also as citizens of New Zealand and of the Empire as a whole. At its fifth annual conference, held in Dunedin ten days ago, special attention was given to Imperial problems, and very interesting (and in some cases notable) speeches wero made during tho discussions on the recent convention of ex-service men of the Empire at Cape Town, on the subject of immigration, and on the question of how the New Zealand Expeditionary Force canteen funds should be allocated. The Canteen Funds. The most outstanding pronouncement made was that upon the last-named subject. It will be remembered that the surplus profits from tho N.Z.E.F. canteens run in New Zealand, on tho transports, in the United Kingdom, France, Flanders, Germany, Egypt, and Palestine were announced as exceeding 4180,000, and that the Government has set up a Canteen Funds Disposal Board to consider the use to which the money should be put. The personnel of this board is as follows:— Major-General (Sir Andrew Russell, K.C.8., K.C.M.G. (chairman), BrigadierGeneral G. S. Richardson. C. 8., C.M.G., C. Colonel A. E. Stewart, C.M.G., D. Lieut.-Colonel R. St. J. Beere, D. 5.0., Messrs. C. W. Batten, and R. J. F. Aldrich (representing the N.Z.R.S.A.), and Captain L. C. Forgie (secretary). Some weeks ago it was announced that tho board had passed the following resolution:—

erties for which the N.Z.E.F. fought, suffered, or died, accordingly desires to make the following declarations and recommendations: (a) That it is Desirable to commem. orate tho spirit and deeds of the New Zealand regiments in the Great War, and for this purpose this conference begs to recommend to tho Canteen Funds Disposal Board that a sufficient portion of the canteen funds be set aside for the . purpose of preparing, and publishing regimental histories. (b) although this conference ie not of opinion that the peace of the world is ideally kept by national and international arrangements based on a balance of power, and although it does not approve of armed preparations for other than defensive purposes, it yet believe* in the necessity for tho proper defence of the British Empire and its free institutions, and, in particular, in the paramount need for adequate naval defence. (c) That since tho population of Great Britain contributes on an average an annual amount of over 412 per head to the support of the British Navy, while the New Zealand contribution is only about ss. per head per annum,. this- conference is of opinion that New Zealand should forthwith assume its duo share of the burden. (d) That since it is not clear that the League of Nations is yet capable of assuming responsibility for, and enforcing the principles of justice among tho nations, this conference views with profound misgivings the decline of British naval power below a one-power standard, and urges the Government to use every effort to secure the adoption of a one-Power standard as an irre-

ducible minimum. (e) THAT AS AN EARNEST OF ITS k SENSE OF THE URGENT NEED FOR PUBLIC RECOGNI’I lON A ND SATISFACTION OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF NAVAL DEFENCE. THIS CONFERENCE BEGS TO RECOMMEND TO THE CANTEEN FUNDS DISPOSAL board that the interest FROM THE FUND SHOULD BE APPLIED TO SUCH OBJECT?IAS MAY BEST SECURE SUCH PUBLIC RECOGNITION AND SATISFACTION, PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT THE MONEYS SHALL NOT BE APPLIED IN SUBSTITUTION OF ANY GOVERNMENT LIABILITY. (3) That this conference, realising that the principles of justice, law, and order among the nations can only be enforced by a league of which all nations may in due course become •members, hereby formally places on record its emphatic support of the principle of the League of Nations, and anxiously looks to a time not distant when the League will finally abolish the need for rival armaments. (4) That this resolution be referred to the following committee to consider the methods by which the fores going general lines of action can be most effectively applied, with power to bring down a final and detailed report for consideration by the next annual general meeting of the council :—Sir Andrew Russell, Messrs. E. W. Inder, B. J. Jacobs, D. S. Smith, D J B Sevmour. W. E. Leadley, the lion. W. Downie Stewart Mr I. W. M'Donald, and Mr. R. B. Bell

This board is of opinion Hint beyond assisting units in the writing of regimental histories in accordance with the conditions under which regimental funds were raised, the genera! fund of the N.Z.E.F. canteens should not be dissipated at the present time, but should be preserved for future requirements in relief of distress on the part, of soldiers, widows, orphans, and dependants of our fallen comrades. That in the interests of. economy of administration, this fund, together with all other funds which exist in New Zealand for similar purposes, should be consolidated, and the Government is urged to take steps to bring about this consolidation By necessary legislation and the setting up of a committee representative of contributing bodice to administer this consolidated fund for tho above-stated object.

The board added that it was not intended that the fund should be controlled by the Government. The N.Z.R.S.A. was assured, however, that this decision was tentative only, that the board would defer any action till the annual conference of the association had discussed tho question, and that any decision reached by the association would he given full consideration, and would not lightly be put on one side.

The Returned Soldiers’ Interest. When, in January last, the N.Z.R.S.A. was asked to nominate a representative on the board, the Dominion executive of the association at once showed a keen interest in the disposal of the funds. The actual financial membership of tho association is, in round figures, 36,000— practically one out of every two men who left New Zealand on active service and returned home- again. The executivo felt, therefore, that no body could be found which would more accurately represent the feelings of the members of the N.Z.E.F., and that no decision should be taken in the disposal of the funds which was not acceptable to the wishes of such a body. At the same time confidence was expressed in tlie personnel of tho Canteens Board. At the quarterly mooting of the Dominion executive in February, a motion was passed authorising the president to set up a special committee to consider tho question and to report direct to the annual general meeting of the Council of the Association—tho movement’s final and most representative and authoritative court. The committee appointed by tho then president (Dr. E. Boxer, C.M.G.) consisted of himself, Messrs. EL W. Inijer (Auckland), B. J. Jacobs (Palmerston North), R. B. Bell, and D. J. B. Seymour (Wellington), N. B. M'Callum (Westport), and the Hon. W. Downie Stewart (Dunedin).

(convener). , q’he motion was seconded by Mr. D. R.'Smith (Wellington), and supported by Dr Boxer, Messrs. D. J. B. Se J moU j (Wellington), T. Long (Auckland), and others. One of the Otago delegates spoko against it, but he found no seconders. and tho resolution as a whole was carried almost unanimously. I'he delegates who wero actually present numbered 36, and represented full v . oll £f strength of the conference (931 votes). Of these only one delegate (with three votes) answered "No.” The unanimity with which the proposal was received was therefore outstanding. The presentation of the resolution and the discussion and vote thereon were taken in camera, the principal reason being that the movers desired that such a notable forward step in the history of the movement should be announced throughout the Empire simultaneously. Tho necessary arrangements have now been made, and publication of the gist of the resolution is being made this morning in Great Britain, Australia. Canada, and South Africa as well as in New Zealand.

Arguments for Altruistic Attitude. In supporting their resolution, its framers firsFTrenchantly scouted anypossibiliiv of a suggestion that the total amount (.£80.000) should be divided up amongst returned soldiers individually, which would mean a "dividend” of about ,£1 por head. . Secondly, while broadly agreeing with the Canteens Board in its tentative suggestion that in tho long run the funds would bo needed to supplement existing funds for the relief of distress among exsoldiers and their dependants, they declared that that day was many years ahead. They felt that it would be 10, 15, or 20 years before need for the me of the principal sum would be felt, that at present and in tho immediate future the returned soldiers collectively (as distinct from Individually) should not be asked to augment war relief funds, and, -indeed, that any move on those lines should bo deferred till eueh time as it was plainly evident that tho people of New Zealand had forgotten the spirit and deeds of their sons in the Great War or were disposed to regard the veterans of that war in a much less kindly light, than they did now. Thirdly, having regard to tho view of

N.Z.R.S.A. Conference and the Navy. Tho report of this committee was presented to tho conference at Dunedin in the form of a resolution, which was moved on behalf of his colleagues by Mr. R. B. Bell, and reads as follows:— This conference Wgs to submit tho following statement to the Canteen Funds Disposal Board regarding the disposal of tho canteen funds, amounting to over «£BO,OOQ: —

(1) That as the canteen funds were accumulated out of the purchases of the members of tho N.Z.E.F. generally, without any direct expectation that tho sama would bo raid to tho mem bers individually, this conference is of opinion that tho funds may bo fittingly used in tho main for altruistic objects likely to commend themselves to the judgment of the majority of returned soldiers, subject however to the general principle that tho capital of tho fund shall be con serve'l for tho immediate future. (2) This conference, as represents five of the Expeditionary Force, and as In parr trustee for those Hb-

Ihe Canteens Board, and notwithstanding tho difference of opinion as to time, they felt that tho retention of tho capital sum was vitally necessary. Fourthly, they agreed with tho Canteens Board on tho whole question of regimental histories. Fifthly, and specifically, they stressed the paramount necessity of coi tinuous thought and service for the Empire and for mankind. They urged that tbe men who had shed, or who had been prepared to shed, their blood for King and country, for the liberty of the Empire, and the world, and for the maintenance of civilisation generally, had not ceased their work or altered their attitude of mind when the nrmistica was signed on November 13, 1918. That work and that mental attitude could not be allowed to lapse or sink into oblivion. If they had freely given their blood in days happily past, they could in the new conditions "carry on” in terms of money and of positive thought. And lastly, they expressed the fervent hope that the path they endeavoured in a small way to point would be a path which New Zealanders as a whole would bo glad to follow. The substance of the decision of tho conference was not so much the actual action of the returned soldiers themselves, as the spirit that actuated it. What tho R.S.A. could do in a minor degree was what the Dominion should do in full measure—aud at once.

Thorough Stock-taking Necessary.

It wm urged that the condition of the world to-day, and its potential condition, demanded a thorough stock-taking regarding New Zealand’s position. Tho moment a world-wide view was taken it was apparent that the making of provision for tho safety of the Dominion against attack was a vital and urgent duty. . Thia led to an examination of the causes of war, and to the conclusion that a League of Nations based on the principles of justice and good will was the best solution of defence problems, if such a league were practicable, and was much to be preferred to arrangements based on a balance of power—a fruitful cause of the growth of rival armaments. It was also pointed out that one of the surest means of establishing a league of all nations was the creation of a league of British nations, and to make such, a league workable, as an object-les-son for a larger league. The larger league, it was said, was only possible when representatives of large sections of the human race, such as tho British Empire, the United States, China, and Japan could meet together under the dominating idea of the necessity for harmonising their conflicting interests. It was postulated that this was only an extension o£ the internal problems ot government as they exist to-day in any of the countries mentioned, e.g., the 1 problem of Ireland, or of the revolting 'provinces in China. The conference accordingly affirmed the principle of the League of Nations, but as it felt that the League _ was not capable as yet. of fulfilling the functions for which it is intimately destined, it further affirmed the necessity for the maintenance and protection of the peoples of the British Empire and their free institutions. It was impossible to consider that they should bo saenheed at the feet of any aggressive lowpr which refused to abide by the decisions of a League of Nations which had not as yet power to enforce its cecrees. In these circumstances, and in the light ot the fact that this Dominion is set in the South-western Pacific far from its chief source of protection, the Mother Country, tho view was strongly expressed that preparation for defence v.as necessary and was paramount in the field of New Zealand’s relationship with the cuter world. This was particularly so as recards naval defence. The resolution states the arguments used: That the British taxpayer pays eicht times as much per head r.s we do for nava? defence, and yet that the value of the defence is as great to us as it u to him; that tho fair assumption ot the burden of naval defence is immediately necessary if we are to maintain otn selfrespect; and that. the very least standard that we can aim at is the one-powei standard. . ~ During the debate various nuthods ot expending the moneys were suggested. One speaker advocated naval olar : ships, arguing that New Zealand should supply her full share of both men and money. Others suggested resistance to the Sea Scout movement as a- means of training New Zealand’s boys to a love of the sea, and to inculcate in them the principles of seamanship, and the virtue of hardihood and courage. A further suggestion was made that the n oney be devoted to the upkeep or maintenance of a submarine. . In all cases the point was stressed that tho money was not in substitution of anv Government commitments for naval defence, but was to supplement them, to point tho way towards an adequate expenditure, and to encourage the people of New Zealand to take an immediate, deep, and las problems of New Zealand s defence and foreign relationships.