NAVY LEAGUE

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 124, 23 February 1928, Page 3

NAVY LEAGUE

ANNUAL CONFERENCE NUMBER OF REMITS PASSED Delegates from all parts of New Zealand attended the tenth annual centerone© of t.lio Navy League, which was held in the Dominion Farmers Inslititle yesterday. They were welcomed by the president (Sir Alexander Koberts). The following remits were passed:— '‘This conference of the New Zealand branches of the Navy League recognises that, this is a time tor reasonable economy, and also a time when it is imprudent to urge or take any steps which could reasonably be taken as offensive measures, yet it urges upon the Government that neglect of maritime interests, would bo false economy, ami that it is dangerous to neglect tho provision of pioper naval defence, including proper protection of our trade "That this conference desires to place on record its appreciation of the action taken by the Government during the past year in arranging for I lie extension of the Boyal Naval .Reserve to Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin, and Iho branches of Ihe league at these centres will be glad to render any assistance in their power to forward t lie interests of tlie reserve.’—Wellington and Canterbury/' "That this conference tinges, when the New Zealand Royal Naval J’eserve Class D is forrne<l in the four main centres, that lads living in proximity to the main centres, as thev become eligible for territorial cadet training, shall be given the option of undergoing sea-train-ing as sea cadets, if they so wish/' "That this conference supports the action of th© Navy League in England in protesting against a reduction of the Admiralty cruiser programme/’ “That the conference is of opinion that submarines should form an integral part of naval defence until such iiine as all countries shall agree to abolish them." "That the Navy League considers; it essential that there should be in New Zealand a naval air service with Royal Naval officers as observers and navigators." "That th© Government be approached with a view to its encouragement of Aviation, by the building or aerodromes ami providing other facilities, to foster commercial aviation transport within the Dominion, ami also to encourage aeroplane clubs for young men. In this way not only would the prosperity of the Dominion be increased, but. a supply of semi-trained personnel with an air sense would be available for service in time of necessity/ "That the Navy League considers it necessary that as far as possible some form of vocational training or instruction such as carpentering, engineering, or other work should be given while lads are undergoing preliminary training at the New Zealand Royal Navy depot in Auckland." "That this conference of (he Navy League delegates suggests that the Goveminent should set up a committee representing the lower deck,, the officers and the Navy League, with a view to advising vnen who retire troin the Navy in New Zealand.” “That this conference urges tlie branches of the Navy League in New Zealand to endeavour to extend their activities throughout the Dominion by the format ion of new branches, by increasing the membership, and, aoove all. by extending the work among the children. . . , , “That the exhibition of British naval films be widelv encouraged and supported by the league in co-operation with the ilioalre companies throughout the Dominion.’’