THE MERCANTILE MARINE

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 265, 5 August 1929, Page 14

THE MERCANTILE MARINE

EARL JELLICOE’S TRIBUTE TO ITS WORK.

Admiral of the Fleet Earl Jellicoe and Countess Jellicoe were the centre of an interesting gathering at the Stoll Picture Theatre. Kingsway, recently, where special films illustrative of the British Empire were shown to an audience mainly of children in connection with the movement to educate by kinematograph. Prizes for children’s essays on “Why I Love Mv Country” and for the best letter on “Educational Films” were presented by Lady Jellicoe. Speaking to the boys and girls. Lord Jellicoe said that the British Empire was held together not by the sword but by the instinct, sentiment, and desire for justice and freedom. It was an Empire, too. which stood strongly for the peace of the whole world and was linked in loyalty and devotion to the King. “I notice that one of the films deals with the Royal Navy,” said Lord Jellicoe. “I think that is fitting because it shows how necessary the Navy is for the preservation of the Empire. .But I would not have you think that it is the Royal Navy that is alone responsible.

“It is as much, if not more, to the Mercantile Navy that we owe the foundation and the security of our Empire. If any proof were needed for the wonderful work of. and necessity for, that great Navy, it was shown during the war. (Cheers.) If it had not been for the devotion of our merchant seamen you in this country would have been starved.” The essays contributed by the children, whose ages ranged from 9 to 15 years, had many amusing passages in them, as for instance: — “I like my country because the weather is never too hot nor too cold, and we never have the same weather very long.” “England is a steady country—one does not go in fear of what the next day may bring forth, like some people who live nearer the equator. Verily England is more peaceful.” “It is the most free country in the world, where nil the weary travellers come for peace and rest.” “I love my country as all people should, and will work for it as others have done before and I wish good luck to it after me.”