NAVY LEAGUE CONFERENCE

Evening Star, Issue 19798, 23 February 1928, Page 15

NAVY LEAGUE CONFERENCE

HAVAL AIR SERVICE FOR N.Z. WANTED [Pke United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, February 22. Delegates from all parts of New Zealand attended tho tenth annual conference of tho Navy League, which was held to-day. The following remits were passed “That this conference of tho New Zealand branches of the Navy League recognises that this is a time for reasonable economy, and also a time when it is imprudent to urge or take any stops which could reasonably be taken as offensive measures. Yet it urges upon the Government that neglect of the maritime interests would be false economy, and that it is dangerous to neglect the provision of proper naval defence, including adequate protection of our trade routes.” “That this conference desires to place on record its appreciation of the action taken by the Government during the past year in arranging for tho extension of the Royal Naval Reserve in Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin ; and the branches of the league at these centres will be glad to render any assistance in their power to forward the interests of the reserve.” “ That this conference urges, when the New Zealand Royal Naval Reserve, class D, is formed in the four main centres, that lads living in proximity to the main centres, as they become eligible for Territorial Cadet training, shall he given the option of undergoing sea training ns sea cadets if they so wish.” “That this conference supports the notion of the Navy League in England in protesting against a reduction of the Admiralty cruiser programme.” “That the conference is of the opinion that submarines should form an integral part of naval defence until such time as all countries shall agree to abolish them.” “That tho Navy League considers it essential that there should ho in New Zealand a naval air service, with Royal naval officers as observers and navigators.” “That the Government be approached with a view to its encouragement of aviation by the building of aerodromes and providing other facilities to foster commercial aviation transport within the dominion, and also to encourage aeroplane clubs for young men.” “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 Now Zealand Royal Navy depot in Auckland.” “That this conference of the Envy League delegates suggests that the Government should set, up a committee representing the lower deck, the officers, and the Navy League, with a view to advising men who retire from the Navy in New Zealand.”