THE NAVY LEAGUE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 7, 3 October 1917, Page 9

THE NAVY LEAGUE

. ANNUAL REPORT. The annual report of the Wellington ■branch of tho Navy League says that the enrolment of members has continued steadily and applications are still being received. The total adult membership at August 31■■lsiet -was 1032. and almost one hundred members have been onrolled since that date. • This is more than a four-fold increase for the year. "Tho most'imporlaht factor in securing new members was the formation of. the ladies' auxiliary 'branches.. An ini]tortant departure.was made by the nominalion of five ladies'to tho mam Executive Committee. The ladies selected have taken a keen interest in all, questions dealt with by the conimitee, and navosecured for themselves and-their successors a permanent position in the council of the branch.. ' '. "The principal work of the league in New Zealand has been the education ot the boys and girls in the importance of sea power to the whole British Empire. "The inculcation of. patriotism in our public schools has received considerable aUentiori'from the Education Department, but it' is being urged that even greater, ■prominence should Tμ given to the training of the young in the love of thencountry and tho desire to serve it. "The league has given its assistance in such teaching. . Where arrangements could be made addresses have been given to the assembled scholars by gentlemen who have visited the schools for this purnose The branch desires to express thanks to those who have voluntarily undertaken this work and to.the toacLicrs who have provided facilities for the visits. Much .more.could, however, be done" and the incoming committee shon d take immediate steps to further promote this'important work. . The school membership compares'favourably with past years, but is very far' shortof Iho total attached to some of the Other .Is ew Zealand "The splendid result achieved by this branches of the league, and other branches of the Navy League throughout New Zealand in providing a fund for the dependants of the men' who lost vbeir lives in the Jutland battle has been most favourably commented upon by the Homo office of the league, A special committee,' which'includes a Npw Zealand representative, lias been set up to administer the fund. In addition to this fund the ladies' auxiliaries have accomplished excellent work in providing [ for the men of the lesser fleet and for oilier patriotic worl,- particulars of which are given in. thu reports of tho auxiliary blanches. A sum of .£25, subscribed by 'a' penny school collection, has been sent Home io provide a holiday for the boys 'oh the. H.M.S, New Zealand. ■ Steps are bcin» taken to sell by' auction an autograph book'.which has been sent to His lixcellency the Governor-General, to be disposed of for the benefit of the Royal Naval and Marine Orphan Homes at Portsmouth, Plymouth, iuid the Norn. It is also the intention of the branch_ to promote- a movement to assist 'King George's Fund for Sailors.' That the work done has been appreciated by the head office is shown by the fact that from a: very small, number of special wi'vices decorations aawrded, several members of the brunch and auxiliaries have received ■this distinction. "Jnslructions liave been received that Hie nmiiversiiry of (be Buttle of Tnifiili?ar shall in future be'known as 'Nelson Day.' As usual, a frozen wreath of New Zeoalnd flowers was sent Home 16 be placed at tlie foot of the Kelson Coliiniii.in Trafalgar Square. A siiitaT>le demonstration , was held .by the branch in the Town Hall, and a collection taken up in aid of tho French I?ed Cross. Arrangements ae being- made to asked to make special reference-' during coiriinemoiate the day this year, r.nd as it falls on a Sunday the churches willbe nsked to make special reference ourin? tile services to the occasion."