NAVY LEAGUE.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14980, 9 June 1914, Page 4

NAVY LEAGUE.

CANTERBURY BRANCH

The monthly meeting of tho general committeo of the Canterbury branch of tho Navy League was held last nigai. Present:—Mr J. J. Dougall. (chairman), tho l?cv. E. Eliot Chambers, Lt.Colonel E. Richardson, Lt.-Colonel H. S. Hobday,'Dr. R. W. Ai.derson, Messrs W. Walton, C. E. Bevan-Brown, J. 0. Jameson, T. S. Foster, Miss Freeman, Mesdamos Blunt and Robinson.

A letter was received from the Ashburton branch of tho League, stu.i-.

that the executive had decided to dissolve ar.d that the administration ot Navy Leaguo business in tho district bo placed in tho hands of the Christchurch branch. The sum of £46, tho crcuifc balaiice of tno brai.cn, was fo.--waided to be paid into tfie funds of tho paioiit body. Regret was expressed at tho dissolution of tho branch, 'ine Rev. E. Eliot Cuarubers suggested that an effort should bo mado to preservo tho branch and expressed his willingness to givo an illustrated lecture. Tro matter was referred to the Scnools' Et>tertaii>ment Sub-Committee to arrange.

The secretary of tho Tcmuka branch of the League wrote stating, that'the branch was almost defur.ct. An effort was being made to arouse fresh interest and a flower pageant, to be. hold in June, should ensure its future financial position. Tho letter was received.

A letter was received from the Christchurch centre of tho Overseas Club, burgestins that it was desirable io arrange some bcheme whereby tho Nayy League, tho Victoria Leaguo, the Royal Colonial Institute, and tho Overseas Club should combine.

The Rev. E. Eliot Chambers etroncJy opposed nnv- sucli combinatioa m far as the Navy Leaguo was concerned In any caso, tho Canterbury branch was under tho control of the head body in London. ~ Tho objects of tho Navy League were ouitd different. . 'It was decided to reply that $h<& Canterbury branch of tho Navy League did not feel tnat it was to its interests to join with the other institutions named. Itepiios were received from the.."Wellington. Otapo, and Waimato branches, acknowledging receipt of tho Canterbury branch's resolutions ; regarding New Zealand's naval policy and fay» ouring the idea of a conference of the branches to discuss the question. It was resolved to writ© again to those branches from which replies had not been received. , ■ It was also decided to forward to the Minister of Defence a copy of tho following resolution carried at the previous meetifiE: — , j "That the New Zealand should make fnrtheßj'epresentation to the British Admiralty to keep New Zealand provided with two modern cruisers, New, Zealand to nay for. entire unkeep and to man thorn as far as nonsibie. the British Government to tako back the four obsolete cruisers. for which £100.000 is now being pnid."

It was announced that tho quarterly moeticc would be held on Friday right when Colonel Andrews would give ar address on "Imperial Problems." n"* 3 it was decided to invite Commander Viscount Kelburn and the officer? of H.M.S. Pyramus 1 to be present.