INCULCATING PATRIOTISM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18497, 6 September 1923, Page 9

INCULCATING PATRIOTISM.

NAVY LEAGUE'S ACTIVITIES. .'LECTURES IN THE SCHOOLS. Opportunities for. extending the activities of the Navy;.. League throughout the schools of .the Auckland education district were sought' from the Education Board yesterday, -by the Auckland, branch of the League. The branch'sought the board's support .of an effort now : being made to inculcate in the rising generation, the school children particularly, a proper sense of the necessity of adequate naval defence of the Empire. \< f ..The- southern branches of the League, stated the letter, have a junior membership averaging 4000 in ■' each of the three centres, Wellington. .Christ-church and Dunedin, while Auckland has barely 100 junior members. :. The > Auckland branch was prepared to ' send to ". each school a competent lecturer on naval .history* and tho needs for naval defence, to address the children, and, if possible, to form a junior branch'of the League. " We do not want junior members for adding strength to - our , League," continued- the letter, " but we, are concerned as to the future naval defence of this Empire, and we'wish to do what we can to fester a healthy patriotic- spirit in the young. We are prepared at all times to consider requests from schools for national flags, maps of the world, historical picture* and books of naval history." For honorary lecturers the' league was fortunate in having two retired . naval officers!, Commander J. R. .Middlejkm, D.8.0., R.N.. and Lieutenant'■•■. R. P. Nisbet, D.S.C., J.1.N.R., both officers of wide ex-' perience, and of excellent address. .' ■ The branch invited members .of the board to. attend at tho Town Hall, concert chamber on September 18, when Lieutenant Nisbet would recount his story .of " Service in tho Mystery. Ships during the War." arid Commander Middleton would give a short address on "The Navy and All it Means to Us." On the motion of Mr. T.U. We'Ls, consideration of the League's request - was deferred until members had heard these addresses. . ..,..:, ■.