WHAT WE OWE TO THE NAVY.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 196, 1 August 1916, Page 2

WHAT WE OWE TO THE NAVY.

Kecant mails have brought to hanc English papers cjntairnsg reports of the great naval engagement. With customary candour (he British Admiralty published their acoanl at' the battle before the extent ol the German losses could be ascertained, and fears were at first entertained by the public of Eogiand that a defeat had been sustained. However, when all particulars were available it soon became evident that a brilliant victory had beer, achieved, such has indeed cnppkd German} from putting her ships to sea tor st least some considerable tine to come. Of course, we had to pav the price of victory, and it is admittedly a heavy one, as it was bound to be. Naval aarfa'e differs in many very important rescects from land warfare, and it had long been realised that when the lival fleets did jnn battle the losses would be great on both sides, from the highest to the lowest all did their duty nobly, displaying in fullest measure the qualities that have ever distinguished the British sailor. Our sympathy goes out to all who have lost lelativts in the great fight. Th?ir sacrifice has not been in vain. The fruits of the splendid vic'.orv are far-reaching. England's supremacy on the sea is more firmly established than ever before; her blockade of the enemy will be tightened instead of relaxed; she can continue to send our troops to France and further alield, to supply them and the Allies with munitions, and to protect her I'ood tupplic*. These arc some of the most obvious results of the battle; and elzarly they can only be the fruits of victory. That the British Empi'e can enjiy these fruits to-day is due to the brave men who have fought and died died that the Empire might livf. For uj in New Zealand surely the least we can do to mark our gratitude to the English Navy is to support to the fullest possible extent the fund raised on behalf of the widows and orphans ol those gallant sailors who died at the post of duty on behalf of England and her oversea Dominions.

On Friday next, the second anniversary of the beginning ot the war, special will be held in St. Andrew's Church, Pukekoh?, and in St. t'aul'e, Buckland. By the Buhnp'a mpiest the col lections will he give.i to the Keilef Funds for ihr widows and orphans of the In'»i v c 111r11 wlii. p. ri'lu'il in Hip N 'ltli in a cn^ugCiiK'iit.