The Navy Vol_37_Part1 (Feb-Mar-Apr, May-June-July 1975)

•k Cut for ComfortifCut for Styleir Cut for FitI AM ICS1 1 \ H M ITHE CHAMPIONS wear themWhy not YOU?CUSTOM£WET SUITSONLY $69.95Order Direct andSave 20%Satisfaction GuaranteedW ^ ^ m .Men's or Women'scustom-tailored to yourH^B measurements withW^g high pants and collar for• • super warmth. Finest wetH B suit material, com-• I pletely nylon-lined. Fea-• tures sewn seams, noncorrosivezipper. QuickdeliveryADD $4 postage handling.Sorry, no COD.Clip and mail this handycoupon today toDOLPHIN WET SUITS16 Ninth Avenue, Camptie, NSW, 2194I Phone: 789 2999SUITSPECIAL INSTRUCTIONSNAMEADDRESSCITYSTATE.xxjipyTHE SUITS THATARE MADETO LASTCUSTOM SUIT MEASUKMHT CHART— 1 • • "NAVY LEAGUE OF AUSTRALIAVREPORT PRESENTED BY THE PRESIDENTCOMMANDER F. G. EVANS, TO THE FEDERALCOUNCIL ON 28th FEBRUARY, 1975This report relates to the calendar year ended 31 December, 1974.The League's Maritime Securityactivities: The Study Groups formedsome time ago to provide us with abetter understanding of maritimedefence problems proved very usefulin 1974. and enabled the League tomake a number of contributions topublic debate on defence issuesduring the yearIn fact. I believe it is far to say that,the League and individual memberswere at least partly responsible forraising issues concerning the Navywhich received widespread publicattention, and which are still doingso.Although maritime defence is currentlyreceiving attention in influentialsections of the news media,occasional "splashes" are notenough: constant effort is requiredto bring subjects forward for publicthought and debate.In my experience we are not a "seaminded"nation, which is perhapssurprising in a country the majorityof whose people live in closeproximity to the sea. and vastnumbers of whom take theirrecreation in small boats on (and in)the sea. In matters of defence wetend to think in terms of soldiers:and perhaps of the great capabilitiesof modern aircraft, which maycause people to think (quite wrongly)that Navies are redundant. Few if anysignificant nations think this way.In drawing attention to the needsof the Navy, the Navy League is notbeing anti-Army or anti-Air Force,this would be ridiculous. What weare trying to achieve is realistic andbalanced thinking on matters whichrelate to national security.This traditional task of the Leagueis rather thankless for m9st of thetime, but it will be too late to startthinking about what we ought tohave done if trouble befalls us forone reason or another, as has sooften been the case in the past.Naval Reserve Cadets (formerly TheAustralian Sea Cadet Corps): I amdisappointed at the lack of progressin determining the place of the NavyLeague in the overall Naval ReserveCadet scheme. Mainly tor propertyreasons there is still an association,but I am convinced that in the bestlong term interests of the cadetmovement, this is not enough to beof real benefit to either the Cadets orthe Navy.Finance: The financial requirementsof the Federal Council haveby no means lessened during theyear: if anything they have increaseddue to the fact that our wider "maritime"activities have of necessityinvolved the Council rather than theDivisional Executives.A report by the sub-committee setupat the last Council meeting toexamine this subject has been forwardedto the Divisions forconsideration.The Navy' Magazine: The editor.Mr Dennis Trickett (who puts themagazine together in his spare'time) has expressed the views of theLeague in a wholly admirablemanner, and I extend my congratulationsand thanks to him.On the editors behalf. I invitemembers of the League to contributearticles which they considerwould be of interest to fellowmembers and the increasingnumber of subscribers to ourmagazine.Navy Leagues Overseas: I ampleased to report there is increasingcommunication between ourselvesand the Navy Leagues of the UnitedKingdom. Canada and New Zealand.Exchanges of information, conductedin the course of personalvisits and in correspondence.cannot be other than useful, and Iwould hope soon to include theUnited States Navy League in ourgroup of close associates.Cadet exchange with New Zealand:Arrangements were made duringthe year for an officer and three NewZealand cadets to visit Australia inDecember for courses and sightseeingin the Sydney area, and forthree cadets from Victoria, the onlyDivision participating in thescheme, to visit New Zealand for thesame purpose during January. 1975.Sponsorship of exchange visits bycadets is one of our constitutional"aims and objects ', and I hope thatall States will take part in a furtherexchange in 1975/6.Relations with like-mindedorganisations: A policy of keeping intouch with the national leaders ofmaritime and defence-orientatedorganisations, and in particular withthe Federal President of the NavalAssociation, has been followedduring the year, and has I believebeen of benefit to us all.Active co-operation with likemindedorganisations is already anormal part of the League's activitiesin several States, and I hope thepractice of "closer association willwiden and deepen rapidly.The Office-Bearers of the League:The Navy League in Australia wasformed in the main, to support thecadet movement. Due to the greatcosts involved, changes have takenplace in this area of our responsibilities.with a consequential effecton the organisation and work of theDivisions.I appreciate very much indeed thesupport of the State Presidents, myVice-Presidents and of the FederalSecretary in the somewhat difficultperiod of adjusting to the newcircumstances.Page TwelveTHE NAVYFebruary/Harch/Aprtl, 1975February/March/April, 1975 THE NAVY Page Thirteen