THE NAVY LEAGUE

Evening Post, Volume CIII, Issue 83, 8 April 1922, Page 9

THE NAVY LEAGUE

NEED OF PROPAGANDA

ANNUAL MEETING OF WELLING-

TON BRANCH,

. "I think it would be deplorable if this Dominion ceased its efforts in connection with propaganda on behalf of the Navy. . . . For the Navy League to be allowed to lapse entirely would be a national calamity." These remarks were made by Sir John Luke, M.P., when speaking at the annual meeting of the Wellington branch of the Navy League last night. The meeting was held in the Chamber of Commerce, and Mr. J. P. Firth presided over an attendance of about thirty ladies and gentlemen. A number of apologies for absence were received, including the Prime Minister (the Eight Hon. W. F. Massey), the Minister of Defence (Sir R. Heaton Rhodes), and the Minister of Education (Hon. C. J. Parr). The President, jn moving the adoption of the annual report and balance-sheet, extracts from which have been published, drew attention to the good work done for the league by the ladies., They could not be too grateful, said Mr. Firth, for the ladies' sustained and persistent efforts. The fact that there were 5000 members in the schools must be of immense service to the league in yeaTS to come. The assistance rendered by the teachers in the schools was highly appreciated by the league. The work done by the league's Wellington branch had always been largely in the direction of training the children in the sea sense, of fostering loyalty, and of encouraging sympathy with the men of the merchant service. The ladies' auxiliary had been of immense hell to these ends. That •was the work towards which they should concentrate their efforts now.

' Sir John Luke, M.P., thought the league' would be a valuable means of maintaining a mutual interest between the Old Country and the overseas Dominions. The Navy League still had work to do, for the flag was still going to be shown in these waters. What the league had to .do was to' fostei a spirit of patriotism among the people, perform educational work, and entertain men of the Navy and mercantile marine who visited these shores. He hoped that the league would still continue to prosper. (Applause.) Votes of thanks were accorded the outgoing officers, stress being laid on _ the good work performed by the president (Mr. J. P. Firth) and the hon. secretary (Mr. R. Darroch). Officers were elected ar follow :— Patron, Admiral of the Fleet Viscount Jellicoe of Scapa, Governor-General of New Zealand; president, Mr. J. P. Firth; vice-presidents, Mesdames Darlin" and Firth. Hon. 0. J. Parr, Colonel G. F. C. Campbell, his Worship the Mayor, (Mr. E. A. Wright, M.P.), Right Hon. W. F. Massey, Right Hon. Sir J. G. Ward, Bart., Sir William Fraser, Hon. A. M. Myers, Sir John Findlay, Sir Walter Buchanan. Sir Robert Stout, Hon. T. M. Wilford, Messrs. J. B. Harcourt, G. Shirtcliffe, E. F. Hemmingway, C. Strouts, J. G. Harkness, and C. W. Palmer; executive committee, Mr. A. F. Roberts (chairman), Mesdames, Darling, Richardson, Harding, Firth, Miss Edwin, Messrs. Darroch, Wiren, E. W. Hunt, A. Walker, H. Nathan, 'C. W. Palmer, B. Keesing, S. Underwood, A. Hollis, C. E. Finch, J. Crawford, C. H. Mirams, W. Perry, Captain Chudley, and the chairman arid secretary of the Headmasters' Association ; hon..secretary. Mr. R. Darroch; hon. treasurer, Mr. C. E. Finch; hon. lanternist, Mr. Milne; hon. auditor, Mr. J. L. Arcus.

The meeting concluded with the singing of the National Anthem.