Navy League Policy

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 105, 28 January 1935, Page 11

Navy League Policy

Sir, —I have much pleasure in sending you for publication a copy of a statement of policy received this morning Bom the head office of the Navy League in London. It was unanimously passed at the last meeting of the executive committee of the Navy League:— The Navy League views with the gravest concern the deplorable position of the Merchant Navy. It is not its duty—nor is it equipped with the necessary knowledge—to advise or to remark on the steps to be taken to rehabilitate it. The Navy League, however, considers that the security of the country is dependent on a large and efficient merchant fleet for the conveyance of our overseas food supplies and trade, on which the life of This country depends, and for the maintenance of a source of supply of armed merchant cruisers, troop transports, and fleet auxiliaries, should the need for their use ever arise; furthermore, that it is essential that as far as possible the above services should be carried out by British-owned and British-manned ships. The officers and men of the Merchant Navy are required in numbers sufficient not only to man their own ships, but to form a reserve for the Royal Navy. The Navy League is therefore of opinion that it is its duty to call the attention of the public to the grave position of British shipping. —I am, etc., R. DARROCH, Hon. Sec. Conference New Zealand Branches of the Navy League. AVellington, January 26.