THE NAVY LEAGUE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13945, 3 July 1907, Page 2

THE NAVY LEAGUE.

ANNUAL MEETING OF OTAGO BRANCH. ■ I PROPOSED AMALGAMATION OF COMMITTEES. : The annual meeting of the Otago Branch of the Navy Leaguo was hold at tho Town Hall yesterday under the'presidency of Mr John Roberts. There .was a large and influential attendance. including his Worship the .Mayor (Mr J. Loudon), his Honor Mr Justice Williams, and several ladies. Apologies for abscnce wore received from . Messrs Jamc6 Allen, M.H.R., W. E. Key-' nolds, and J. H. Hosking. The Chairman, in moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet, referred to the general satisfaction at seeing so many ladies present. In reference to the ladies' branch of the leaguo, he might mention vnat through an oversight they did not furnish a completely new list of officebearers for tho ensuing year in time for tho printed report. Tho new list was as follows:—President, Mrs Sinclair Thomson; vice-presidents—Mcsdames Lindo Ferguson, J. M. Ritchie, D. E. Theomin. and J. F. Wcodhousc; honorary secretary, Mrs Aufrcro Fenwiok: committee —Mesdames Burnett, James Allen, J. 11. Hosking, Benham, E, C. Ecynolds, W. A. Moore, Misses H. "Williams .ancl F. Fenwick. A suggestion iiad been received from Mr Bullocik to the effect that tho list of members be included in tho annual report, as this would prove of assistance to thoso desirous of obtaining new members. 'Die suggestion was a very useful one, and would no doubt receive proper consideration, Tho annual report was, on tho whole, a very satisfactory one. It spoke of a .very jnucli alive league, and a league that had got a good deal of work in band. The membership had been keeping up very well, and, though not quite so full us many of them would wish, was every encouraging. A considerable increase was earned by the addition of the names of pupils belonging to tho different public schools, and it. was a matter for congratulation that the schools were taking a keen interest in tho work of the league. It was an essential part of their work to keep tlio young people well posted up, in what was being done. Now blood, was necessary if they hoped for a permanent continuance of the 'league. A large number of school teachers had readily given their assistance, and were doing excellent work. Once tho teachers grasped a full idea of the responsibilities and advantages of tho league the idea was speedily communicated to the scholars. The Trafalgar Day celebration at the Garrison Hall last October was a great success, and it would remain for the incoming committee to 6ay'' whether a similar function should be held this year. Bo heartily approved the action of Sir Joseph Ward at the recent confercneo iff London.—(Applause.) It came as a shock to many of them that Australia soemcd inclined to play a lone hand, but ho was glail to find that Mr Dcakin, since his return from the conference, had withdrawn somewhat from the position taken ui> in London, and that Australia would still rotain a certain connection with tho navy. As far as New Zealand was concerned, Sir Joseph Ward had been very happy in his determination, and tho country would support him thoroughly in recognising tho value of tho Imperial navy for tho colony's deierice.—(Applua=.e.) Not only was New Zealand prepared to continue tho present subsidy; it would, if ncccssary, substantially increase the amount. They had heard of the great enthusiasm which the German navy was arousing- in Germany, and there was 110 doubt whatever that tho German Navy League were doing work of an astounding nature. The enormous number of workers thoy had secured was an object-lcsson to all British communities. A ( navy was of more vital importance to Britain and her colonies than it could possibly bo to Germany, and the enthusiasm shown by the latter should be a stimulus to Britons in all parls of tho Empire to perfect tho Navy League.---(Applause.) It was a matter for regret to them all that Mr J. A. Johnston?;, tho late hon; secretary, hail retired from the office. . Mr Johnslono could safoly.be called the moving spirit of the league in Otago. It was almost entirely duo to his efforts that tho leaguo had reached its present satisfactory condition, and ho hoped that he would resume office when he returned to the colony. They had seen from the report that the subject of the essay for the senior scholars in tho Otago Boys High School was "Tho Mastery of the Pacific," and for the junior boys-"Tho Work of tho Navy." The subject for the Girls' TJigh School, Eraemar School, St. Hilda's College, and other private secondary schools in the district was, for both upper and lower divisions, "The Navy as a Peacemaker." -All essays wore to bo.in by the end of Ootober. - They wero all glad to see among tjiem Mr Morrell, the now rector of-the Boys' I-ligh School, who, like his predecessor (Mr Wilson), would doubtless do everything ho could to further tho interests of tlio league.. Tho subjects Jl,„ W* rvnm t-nrv

and, as they Itnew, the young people were taking a very keen interest in naval matters. In conclusion, he referred to his own retirement from tho presidency, and' expressed tho opinion that in his successor (his Honor Mr Justice Williams)'the league would possess a president who would be an ornament to the position and who would receive at the hands of the committee and mcmbors of the league the most loyal and i hoarty support.—(Applause,) The Mayor seconded. In doing so he emphasised the' desirability of inculcating (lie spirit of patriotism among the school children To maintain the league and each year to stimulate interest in it they must encouragc the work among tile young people.- They had heard much abolit tho insular position in the nations of tho world that, was held by Great Britain and the vital impovtanco to Great- Britain of maintaining her navy at its present splendid and predominating strength.' 'To New Zealand the question of the naval supremacy was hardly loss paramount. Ho was glad' to notico from tlio balance ehcot that tho league wa.s in a sound financial position, there being £366 in hand.-—(Ap-plause.)

The report and balanco sheet were 'then t formally approvod. a His Honor Mr Justico Williams was I unanimously appointed president in sue- t cession to Mr John Roberts. < His Honor Mr Justico Williams said it gavo him very great, ploasuro indeed to accept the position of 'president of tho league. Nothing had impressed him moro than the importance of the work tho leaguo was doing. Now Zealand's 1 strength,-as had been said by another speaker, lay in„ ( the British navy. That navy was primarily j a- peacemaker, and ho had been exceed- ( ingly pleased to see that in the essays ] which had boen submitted to State schools, t the Christian 1 Brothers' Schools, and other i scholastic institutions one subject was "The Navy as a Peacemaker." He was a strong advocate for, peace. 110 hated war, and ] recognised that if ono wanted peace ,ono ] must bo strong Strength was indeed < primarily an clement of virtue, and it was 1 impossible to excrciso many of tho virtues 5 efficiently if we wore not strong. If a < man struck another, and that other did ! not return the blow because ho had noither ] tho strength nor tho skill of the man who : struck him, thero was no virtuo in not ) returning the blow. So Jong as New Zea- I land remained part of tho British Empire * it was absolutely neoessary that its people should support the British navy. If the ( British navy was swept from the seas, New j Zealand would bo at onco exposed to tho , attacks of any- Power, however small tho. , navy of that. Powor might bo. Tho navy , was our first' lino of defenoe, and he had ] boon very pleased to seo that tho subsidy to tho navy was to be increased. Furthor-' more, ho agreed with what tho chairman, had said, that tho children should bo got to recogniso tho importanco of the work the league was doing. They would all pass away, and they must loavo others to ' sucoeed them. In conclusion, i;is Honor remarked that. more than 300 years ago tho ominent English lawyer, Sir Edward. Coko, who was treasurer to the navy, had mado the following statement, which -was not inapplicable to to-day:—"The King's navy exceeds all others in the world for three things—viz., beauty, strength, and . (safety,' For beauty they ; are so many royail palaces; for strength (no part of tho world having such/iron and timber as • England hath) so many moving castles and barbicans; and for safety they are tho most defensive walls of the' realm. Amongst tho ships of othor nations they are like lions amongst silly boasts or falcons amongst fcarfull fowl." . OFFICE-HEMIEKS. The following were the office-bearers elected: —President, 1 his Mr Justice Williams; vice-presidents, Messrs J. Sinclair Thomson and R. Chisholm; hon. treasurer, Mr Goo. Ritohio; hon. secretary, Mr T. K. Bart? i committee—Messrs ,Tas. Alien, M.H.R., F. 0. Bridgeman, G. Fonwiok, P. Goyon, J. H. Hosking, 0. Macandrow. Jas. Will, W. A. Moore, P. Ci, Prydc. G. R: Ritchie, J. i". Woodhonse, W. J. Morcll, W. D. Stewart, P. Barr, and E. I. Hallenstein j auditor, Mr P. Barr. , COMPLIMENTAItY. \ Tho Chairman, said that ooncluded tho business, and lib' had to'thank memhera for their attendance. His duties had not been caricd out so well as they might havo boon, but ho had endeavoured- to devote all the timo he could tothe position ho had accepted. He hoped tho leaguo would continue to flourish and do well. 1 His Honor Mr Justico Williams said they must not port without passing a. voto of thanks to Mr Roberts for his services to the 1 league, and for his presence in tho chair that afternoon. '■ Ho was sure they wero sorry to lose him,, an he (his.Honor) hoped ho would approach somewhat to Mr Roberts in promoting tho oflioienoy of the league. The motion was caTricd by acclamation. Tho Chairman thanked thoso present for the voto of thanks, and said ho had no fear ae 'to what would come to pass, and as to his Honor being more than efficient in the position of president. Mr 6. Fenwick said lie thought thero : had been ono Omission." Thero had been no recognition of tho ladies' branch, which deserved their warmest thanks for ' the interost taken in tho work' of tho liagiio. Ho-, thought, they' could not do less than pass a hearty voto of thanks to , the ladies' branch.—(Applause;) Tho Chairman said ho had made some I reference to tho ladies in his opening. 1 rc-marks. . . ! Mr Fenwielc said he was sorry ho was hot present, but at 1 tho same timo he did not rcgrot moving the vote of thanks. Tho motion was put and carriod amid- . applause. , 1 • ■ . Mr P. O. Bridgeman thought .they should pass* a voto of thanks to Mr Spenco, who had. taken a groat deal of trouble and had spent a. great deal of timo lookingover tho esays. The Chairman said thoy had been asked. not to make any special voto of thanks to ; tho many who lmd assisted tho kapuo. He was assured that- thoro was no desiro to mako any special mention of the several . who had, rendered most valuable assistance. Tho omission was not unintentional. It was done purposely. ' The committee was fully awaro of tho great benefit from- , the. services rendered by several to iiio league, and the cest thanks of the leaguo were due to them, but at their own re- ! quost, no mention had been mado of the matter. i. THE LADIES' BRANCH. i : Mrs Sinclair Thomson said, the ladies desired to place themselves more at tho sorvico of tho league, and to become amali gamatod .with it, . All tlioir .work could I be done through, it, and the ladies were i prepared to hold themselves in readiness to do anything that was required 1 of ; They' "would like to bo relieved' of the i ■ necessity of holding meetings, which only i meant a waste of time, as thero was really ■ | nothing for them to hold meetings about, i I The Chairman thought it would be ooini j petcnt fo.r the meeting'to carry aitesolu- : t.ion that' tho ladies' committeo and office- ' | bearers be amalgamated with tho league. , Mrs Sinclair Thomson remarked that as ■ it was, if there was anything to bo dono thoy passed it over to'tho gentlemen for i their opinion. i Mr Buckland moved that, tho question 'bo loft to tho two Qommiltces for settle- • ment. Mr R. .Chisholm sccondod tho motion, ! pointing out that tho ladies' branoh was » wider a different oharter, - and its constitution was somewhat 1 difforont. That being so, it would bo' 1 neccssary for the ladios to pass' a resolution' and certain action would ho necessary to mako tbo position regular. Tho motion was carried, and a voto of S thanks to t,ho pi-ess closed Iho ' procood- . iuga.,. ~