FLEET AND EMPIRE TRADE

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 156, 28 March 1939, Page 10

FLEET AND EMPIRE TRADE

Navy League Speakers At

Wellesley College

Appeals on behalf of the Royal Navy, tlie British mercantile marine and Empire trade were made by Mr. R. Darroeh. secretary of the Wellington Navy League, in an address to the hoys ot ■Wellesley College yesterday. Mr. Darroch said that when. two years ago, Dr. D. A. Poling, president of the World Christian Endeavour Union, passed through Wellington, after visiting the principal countries of the world, he said that wherever lie went he saw youth "marching, marching.” except in tlie British Empire. They were marching because they were being trained for their particular country. Those in the British Empire must, in every possible way, help their Empire. They must lie prepared to, give, and become a race of "go-givers, and not a race of “go-getters.” By joining the Navy League, men. women and children would become "go-givers,” that was Io say. would give support to tlie Empire's great rearmament plan. Mr. Darroch said that the great fleet on the stocks for the Royal Navy, consisted of seven battleships, 22 cruisers, live aircraft carriers, three flotilla leaders. 29 destroyers, 15 submarines, three mine-layers, and some escort vessels. depot ships and small craft. Mr. Darroch said the British mercantile marine was just as important as tlie navy for defence purposes, and said that by joining the Navy League, people would support travelling in British, ships, and sending freights by British tramp steamers or liners. Tlie Navy League was supporting wholeheartedly the chamber of shipping, which was appealing to tlie British Government for subsidies to help build and run tramps, liners, and tankers. Appealing for the purchase of Bri-tish-made goods, Mr. Darroch said otherwise the freight steamers could not he kept going. People who travelled in foreign ships and bought foreign goods were wrecking British shipping. and therefore, if ever the country went to war again, it would not have sufficient ships to carry its soldiers. food, and munitions. The president of the league. Mr. Gordon Reid, thanked the principal, Mr. AV. H. Stevens, and the staff and boys for their continued enthusiastic interest in the work of the league.