Navy League Finances “Not Very Happy”

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31135, 11 August 1966, Page 7

Navy League Finances “Not Very Happy”

The accounts of the Canterbury branch of the Navy League this year are not a very happy picture, with an excess of expenditure over income of £204, the president (Mr J. P. Shelley), says in his annual report. If transactions connected with the magazine “Navy” which is no longer being handled, are eliminated, both income and expenditure are very similar to last year’s figures, says Mr Shelley. The street appeal, he says, netted only £lBB. The success of a street appeal depends on the number of collectors on the streets, and apart from help given by sea cadets there were hardly more than 20 members helping. As sea cadet expenses are likely to increase it is vital that the league’s income be kept up, says Mr Shelley. Subscriptions show a tendency to

decrease, and it is hoped that all members will try to recruit members. “The New Zealand Navy finds itself without a cruiser for the first time since our beginnings just after the First World War,” says Mr Shelley. “However, the passing of H.M.N.Z.S. Royalist is a blessing in disguise, as she had become rather an anachronism and was occupying far too large a proportion of our manpower.” It came as a shock to hear that H.M.N.Z.S. Otago, which was inclined to be regarded as a new ship, was due for her half-life refit. This emphasises that the Government must place orders for new frigates so that one is always building, says Mr Shelley. The unit strength of the Sea Cadet Corps stands at 100, and there is no shortage of applicants to join, but the leaving rate is still disappointingly high, says the commanding officer (LieutenantCommander J. M. Norrie). “Unless we have premises and facilities of our own I cannot see much prospect of improvement.”