THE NAVY LEAGUE.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12129, 27 February 1905, Page 10

THE NAVY LEAGUE.

w SPEECH BY ADMIRAL FANSHAWE. (SFXCIAI. TO "THK P-UtSS.") WELLINGTON, February 28. In the obverse of his speech at the Navy League Concert, Admiral Fanshawe said he felt it was * very pleasant thing to come to Wellington and find his Excellency tho Governor acting as patron of the Navy League in New Zealand, and their distinguished first citizen, the Prime Minister of this'country, aa president.. Tho extremely cordial welcome which the Navy had received here made them feel very much at home. Ho sympathised cordially w'-ith those who were teaching tho boys of our country the naval history o._ our race. In regard to the new Naval agreement, it had fallen to his lot to work, out the. details of the scheme,. "When he jwas here • last that scheme was in the course of preparation, and it had now been in operation for about nine months. He was happy to say that in that short time it had worked very satisfactorily.. He had pleasure the other day in inspecting the drillship of New Zealand—the Phasbe— at- Port Chalmers, -and was well satisfied with what ho Baw there. There were now four hundred men' being trained, whilst there were two hundred fn the Colonial Naval Reserve, and the number was steadily increasing as the conditions became known. The re ports of the progress made by the colonials, forwarded by the captains, were very satisfactory.' No men or women, who loved the.honour of their country, as he was persuaded New Zealand men and women did, would wish to see their seamen in any other position than serving in the front, as the gallant soldiers served in South Africa. By the "front" *he meant where the enemy was to be found, >nd he was sure that they all wished their sons and brothers to be in the front looking for the enemy, and not safely stowed about, in their own local waters. (press association* telegram.) AUCKLAND, February 26. On the arrival of Admiral Fanshawe, who is expected about Wednesday next, Mr V. Atkinson,-late yeoman of signals in H.M.S. Navy, and a member of .the Navy League, will signal by semaphore from Mount Victoria (Devonport), extending a welcome to the Admiral and officers of fleet on behalf of the Harbour Board, "Mayor, and Councillors j and Navy League. It is expected also that Sir j. L. Campbell, president of the licague, and a member of the Executive, will pay a visit to the flagship.