WELLINGTON COLLEGE

Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 146, 21 June 1940, Page 9

WELLINGTON COLLEGE

NAVY LEAGUE VISIT

LESSONS OF WAR

Speeches made to the boys of Wellington College by members of the Wellington branch of the Navy Leagua were met with cheers by the assembled school. The principal, Mr. W. A. Armour, spoke of the wonderful work of the league in the last war, being carried on unceasingly today, not only in connection with the Navy but with the merchant service auxiliaries,, and of the great part the Navy would play in the firial victory. The building up of the Air Force to a strength comparable with that of the enemy, and capable of inflicting tremendous damage on Germany, was a fine achievement. . The President of the Navy League in Wellington, Sir Charles Norwood, said that the association of the college with the league extended over 36 years. The tranquillity of life enjoyed here was only possible the existence of a strong Navy, which had not only helped the growth of a great Empire, but had made it possible for other nations to make normal growth. It would be for. the boys from the" college and other schools to mould the future. It was regrettable that peace could only be secured by might, but until some higher order arrived.a strong Navy was essential; indeed, if the Empire had all along had a three-power Navy standard, this and other wars would not have happened. The deputy president of the league, Mr. Gordon Reid, said that patrons of societies were U6ualy figureheads, but theirs, Lord Galway, was a toiler. The league had set up a national war council, and had promised 10,0001b of wool to be knitted for the Forces. The expenses incurred were practically nil, and the whole value of the league's effort went to its objects. SUPREME NAVY NEEDED^ Founded 45 years ago in London, the league had even since helped the Navy, and since 1912, the Air Force, said the league's secretary, Mr. . R. Darroch. His hearers were those who must plan the future of this, green arid pleasant land, arid he hoped that this year every boy in the college would become a member of the league. For 45 years it had advocated a supreme Navy. After the last war hundreds of differ-, ing ideologies had sprung up, but to succeed any of them would require a change in the hearts of men. The league had kept steadfastly on with its, efforts. One had only to look at the devastated lands of Europe. What did ideologies do to them? "There is only one 'ology' in the German conduct of the war today, and that is brute-ology, and the only things left to grapple with it are the Navy, the Air Force, and our fine Army. Our Navy is not'sufficiently strong to keep us safe. What we require is a three-Power-standard Navy. We read that the Second Echelon has arrived safely in England, and the Prime Minister has commented on the real reasons for that. I think that credit should be given to the league for the way in which it has consistently kept before the people ;the need for a powerful Navy." Referring with pride to the league memberships held by the boys of the" college since the days of the late Mr. J. P. Firth, Mr. Darroch said he hoped that there would now be a record membership of the staff, the parents, and the boys themselves. Mr. Armour, thanking the members of the league for their visit, praised its work in looking after the men ion trawlers and minesweepers in the North Sea, and in caring for the welfare of Naval rating in port.

Cheers for the Navy and the Navy League were given tumultuously, and the National Anthem was sung.