Thank you for correcting the text in this article. Your corrections improve Papers Past searches for everyone. See the latest corrections.

This article contains searchable text which was automatically generated and may contain errors. Join the community and correct any errors you spot to help us improve Papers Past.

Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image

The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, MAY 12, 1920. THE EMPIRE'S CONNECTING LINK.

"The Navy," said Admiral Lord Beatty when speaking at Glasgow recently, "must continue to be the connecting link between the Mother Country and the Overseas Dominions." The truth of that assertion is generally admitted, probi ably more so now than ever before. Not only must the Navy be the connecting link, but it must be the one great safeguard of the Dominions and their trade. Additional emphasis is lent to the importance of the Navy by the recent statement of Mr. Massey, that owing to the League of Nations not being a success it was now more essential than ever to'support the British Navy and enable it to attain the highest pitch of efficiency so that we might "never be caught napping again." The future is veiled; we know not what will happen, but the one great outstanding and immutable fact is that Britain must have the supreme command of the sea, and the Dominions must give all the aid in their power to make that supremacy so certain that it cannot be questioned. The Admiralty obtained valuable lea-

sons during the late war, and these should be taken to heart in regm [to the administration of the Navy, i It is for the experts to advise as to the best class of warship and. !other units, as well as their armaments and protection from submarines. The expense involved is quite a secondary consideration, inasmuch as the security of the whole Empire is at stake. Lord Beatty insists that the capital ship is still the unit upon which the sea-power of the Empire depends, and his opinion is entitled to much weight. The main point, is that whatever class of warships may'be deemed most suitable for modern conditions, they shall be provided without, question, and a ceaseless watch kept so that every development in naval equipment may be promptly utilised in order that the British Navy may not merely be numerically superior to that of other naval powers, but be in the forefront as .regards all other details. No matter what happens as regards the League of Nations the Navy must be brought to the highest pitch of efficiency, and every new invention submitted to the authorities should be examined with the utmost care and impartially in order to encourage attempts to extend its power. But for her Navy, Britain would have been starved into submission, Germany would have triumphed, and the Dominions would have been her prey. It is as well they should realise this, as well as their duty to shoulder a fair share of naval expenditure, and take part in manning the warships. The Empire has been so near a great peril that it cannot afford to disregard its import. Britain's greatness has been built up by naval strength, and it is that power alone whereby it can continue great. "We look to the Admiralty to throw off its red tape and become an openminded, resourceful and progressive body, untrammelled-by useless precedents and fads, and receptive of the most modern views based on sound lines. Never for a moment should the vital importance of naval supremacy be allowed out o' view. As the connecting link of Empire and the sole guarantee of security for overseas trade, the Navy holds first place. Though we hope sincerely it may not be called into action, yet the know ledge that it is ready for all emergencies creates profound satisfaction and a feeling of security that is essential to the whole Empire.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TDN19200512.2.19

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Taranaki Daily News, 12 May 1920, Page 4

Word count
Tapeke kupu
592

The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, MAY 12, 1920. THE EMPIRE'S CONNECTING LINK. Taranaki Daily News, 12 May 1920, Page 4

The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, MAY 12, 1920. THE EMPIRE'S CONNECTING LINK. Taranaki Daily News, 12 May 1920, Page 4

Help

Log in or create a Papers Past website account

Use your Papers Past website account to correct newspaper text.

By creating and using this account you agree to our terms of use.

Log in with RealMe®

If you’ve used a RealMe login somewhere else, you can use it here too. If you don’t already have a username and password, just click Log in and you can choose to create one.


Log in again to continue your work

Your session has expired.

Log in again with RealMe®


Alert