THE NAVY LEAGUE.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXVI, Issue 5213, 1 March 1904, Page 7

THE NAVY LEAGUE.

ENTHUSIASTIC PUBLIC MEETING,

The Skating Rink was crowded last night, when the public meeting organised by tho branch of tho Navy League was held, and, resolutions were unanimously passed approving tho objects of the league, and wishing its exertions in this colony every success. His Excellency the Governor, who presided, was received at the'entrance to the Skating Rink by a, guayd oi honour comprising the members of tho New Zealand Veterans’ As>3oo.acion. Amongst these present on the platform wore tho ~ight Hon. the Premier - , the Hon. Sir Joseph Avard, the Hon. C. H. Willis. Major-General BaVngtoa, Mr John Diithie, M.H.R., Dr Findlay, Mr H. F. AA'yatb (envoy of the British Navy Uoagne), and a number of Oadics, including Lady Ward. Tho Garrison Band and a representative number of officers and men of tho volunteer, forces of AVellington were present. An apology for absence was received from tho ivlayo' - of - AVellington, who was at a special mooting of the City Council. Tho presentation of medals to members of South African contingents took placo as soon as his Excellency bad taken his place on tho p’atform. Tho members of tho contingents, some in mufti, hue the majority in the wellknown khaki uniform, filed past his Excellency, who handed each mail his medal as be walked past-

This ceremony concluded. Lord Ranfurly said ho had presented the medals to tho South African troopers with great pleasure. The medals were badges

of honour, gained in his Majesty’s service and in that of the Empire. , (Applatusc.) Speaking of the Navy League, lie said such a league would seem to bo an absurdity in the British Empire, for everyone endorsed the opinion that the Mother Country ought to possess the host possible navy. But the finest battleship built ten years ago was now only of secondary power, Giving to the: everincreasing activity of foreign countries and tho fertile brain of the inventor. In reference to tho Australasian squadron, now about to bo reorganised, the Governor said that tlic present ships wore not-, in speed, armament, or tonnage, equal to present-day necessities. Still, these ships wore only from thirteen to twenty years old: and if wo were to keep the supremacy of the sea. we must go on. We must ’ continue building ships of size, (speed and strength which would enable us to feel secure. Xu 1890 the naval expenditure was under 14 millions, whilst for the year just closed, the net estimate was nearly 34f millions.' Of this large sum the people of the United Kingdom had paid over 33 millions. Tho import and export trade of tho United Kingdom was over 903 millions, 'whilst Now Zealand had a record year. They had only to look at their port, which they saw fully crowded with largo ships—and-he understood all leaving with full cargoes —and they could easily recognise the maritime interests the United Kingdom and Now Zealand had in maintaining freo trade on the seas., and a. safe trade too. (Applause.) The colonics were now ’taking an active interest in tho affairs of the Empire, as rightly they ought to do —(applause)—and had not been, slow in time of war to send their sons to take their share in maintaining the prestige of .the Empire. Lord Ranfr.irly spoko of tho confLofc between Russia and Japan, as showing tho necessity , for keeping our- navy up to date. It was, ho said, useless to. Jive'in a fool’s paradise; we knew that our Irecflont in our trade depended on the Empire, and

that the whole Empire depended in time of trouble on the British Navy. peaking of the now ships for the -Australasian squadron, his Excellency said that one ship had. just Been launched, and another would ho ilaunchcd shortly. The Navy League was a -strictly nonpolitical organisation, to ejducato the public mind in naval matters. It did not want money; it wanted to arouse public interest in the navy all over the world; and it wanted to do this also—and ho agreed with tho proposal—amongst the children in the schools. Ho confidently recommended tho Navy League to the people. (Applause.) .

■ Mr H. F. Wyatt, envoy of the British Jf».vy League, urged that there was no analogy between the renditions of the South African war and the conditions of naval warfare. The latent, silent strength of the navy hud enabled Britain to draw her breath in Sooth Africa and hold her foes at hay; hut if naval war should’ break out, what other force Was there to interveno 'tootween Britain and her foes? They had'seen how quickly in the present war .a shattering blow had fallen upon the Russian fleet. Let them not say,.“Waittill war breaks out, and then we shall rally.” They were able to rally in tho South African war because the navy'hold the seas; but if a naval war broke out, and the power of the navy wore broken, it would be impossible to rally - ns they had done then. Ho urged, therefore, that in time of peace ,wo should give thatssustaiued attention to naval matters which alone could give ns safety in war* Hence tho reason of existence of tho . Navy League.. It could hardly ho doubted that tho existence of this league during the past nine years had stimulated enormously the expenditure upon the fleet, and, therefore, it was falir ’ to.claim that tho league had materially assisted 'to secure increased prosperity of the Empire. Ho held that the people of. tho colonies should lend a hand in this* common cause. They had done this

gloriously and splendidly in the South .African war. and here was a cause more "insistent. If New Zealand! took one step. on One ■half-step, forward on behalf of naval'defen ce, that would reverberate throughout tho world, and again s place New Zealand to the forefront of the Empire. (Applause.) ' t Dr irindlay moved, “ Tliat this mass meeting of tho citizens of Wellington realises that the existence of the Umpire. and tho security and prosperity of every part of lit, are dependent u pon tho adequacy of tho Imperial Navy; and that thiis meeting would view with satisfaction any further measure of naval co-operation which might he approved 1 by New Zealand.” Ho pointed out that the greatest feature of human nature was its apathy in the faoo of any continuation of blessings, and that our greatest blessings were those which we failed to properly realise until they were taken from us. This applied to tho Imperial Navy- Therefore, wo should give that moral aid to this cause, and, if necessary, that financial akek which would show to the nations of tho earth that we wore one people and onp Empire. (Applause.) Taking it in its most' narrow sense, the navy was tho best form of insurance we could have. Mr W. Eraser, til 1111.. seconded tho motion, and -advised.,, those present to join the Navy X.eaguo at onceTho motion was unanimously agreed to. amidst loud cheering. . Tho Premier, who was received with loud cheers, said that in our colony wc could fairly claim to be of the “bull-dog breed.” Wo sang hero very lustily tho songs of tho sea; but, ho asked, takiln'g tho mercantile , fleet and the British Navy, how many sons of. Now Zealand wero in. that navy or that mercantile marine? Wo sang about it, and that was all.’ (Hear, hear.) Something moro must he done than had been dono in the past, and our. sons must go there. .(Applause.) Mr Seddbn, quoting tho words of Napoleon to the effect that .whilo the navy .was preserved, it would always render England powerful, went on to say that the superiority of the Britisli Navy meant’ the superiority of tho commerce and toado of tho British Empire. He asked whether we in tins colony had dono our share on behalf of that navy? Mr Seddou quoted figures to show that whilst France, Germany, Russia and America wore increasing tho number of their ships by one hundred, Britain proposed to increase hers by 150, a statement received with loud applause, which led the Premier to say that ho was proud of tho manner in which tiic audience had applauded the efforts of tho Imperial Government, which in proposing this great burden had tho sympathy of tho people of this colony, and would, if necessary, have their practical assistance. (Applause.) Ho then pointed out that whilst tho people of the United Kingdom wero paying 15s per head to the navy, wo paid hc.ro for the Australasian squadron £40,000. or Is per ..head of every man, woman and child in tho colony. Ho asked them to realise, that tho maintenance and supremacy of the British Navy meant that the high road for our produce to-tho markets of tho world would be kept clear; and he askedthem also to -assure our kindred at. Home that while wo had done a little, wo were prepared, if necessity arose, to do more to help them to maintain the supremacy o;E tho navy. Mr Seddon dealt at some length, as reported elsewhere, with tho proposals concerning tho reorganised ; Australian squadron, aim moved “Tiiat.xlns meeting of the citizeno of Wellington heartily approves tho objects of the Navy League, and desires to see its exertions successful throughout tho colony.” (Applause.) Air John Duthie. M.H.R., in seconding tlio motion, said he understood that it was proposed to form sub-branches of the league, so as to interest the children of the schools in this movement. Wo had every reason to he proud of the action taken by Great Britain 1 ■ in strengtheri'mg tho navy, action which was largely duo to tho efforts of tho Navy Teague. Air Duthie quoted figures to show tho increase in naval expenditure on the part of Great Britain last year;: and said. that in 1902 the British nation had spent thirty-five millions in additions to its -fleet, whilst Russia, Germany and France altogether had spent only thirty-three : millions. Ho did not view with any suspicion the increase of the American Navy; for he

refused to regard the possibility of war with tho United States. (Applause.) The motion was unanimously agreed On tho motion of Sir Joseph Ward, a veto of thanks was given, to his Excellency tho Governor, amidst cheering, and at the call of the Premier "cheers wore,also gr-ven for the league, and for tho navy. Tho Hou 0. H. Mails proposed tx vote ■of thanks to the vocalists; to the D.1.C., which had assisted to furnish the hall; to Mr T. G. Macarthy, who had given the hall free of charge, and to Mr A. Collins, who had assisted in decorating it with flags. This motion nvas agreed to. . Forms of enrolment for these wieliling to become members of tho league were distributed in the hall. During the evening songs were given by Messrs A. S. Bail lance and E. J. Hill. Mr Ballance sang “Laud of Hope and Glory.” Mr Hill was recalled for “Tho Death of Nelson/’’ and then sang “Tom Bowling.”