NAVY LEAGUE (OTAGO BRANCH).

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15184, 1 July 1911, Page 4

NAVY LEAGUE (OTAGO BRANCH).

The monthly meeting of tho executive of the above was held yesterday afternoon in the Education Board Office, when tho following, were present:—Messrs J. A. Johnstone (in tho chair), R. Chisholm, G. R. Ritchie, P. R. Sargood, P. Goyen, W. F. Edmond, W. J. Morrcll, 11. S. Black, and Miss Marohamt. Tho Secretary reported that sinco tho last meeting (May 18) tho sum of £101 3s had been oollocted. The Finance Committee recommonded the following accounts for payment:—Wellington Branch (gift books), £4 10s; Navy Leaguo Homo Office (leaflet and slides), £2 13s 7d; Navy Leaguo (gift books), £24 153. During tho past month tine secretary had given lantern lectures to largo audiences at Walton, Arthur Street, Anderson's Bay, Gcorgo Street, Ravensbourne, ami Wakari Solwols. Tho following new members havo joined and paid their subscriptions sinco tho last meeting: Per Mr Johnstone—Messrs 0. F. Johnson, E. H. Lough, Dr W. M. Maodonald, Messrs W. A. Russell, R. K. Smith, A. C. Smith, C. E. Wilson, W. H. Young, T. D. Adams. "Anonymous," P. D. Cameron, W. F. Sligo, T. Cassells Ross, T. G. Secular, T. T. Ritohic, B. B. Couston, W. Palmer, 11. F. Moss, Andrew Hamilton, James Hutchison. Alfred James, J. B. Nichol,. Donald Rcid (Milton); per Mr W. A.' Moore—ll. D. Brewor, Drapery Importing Company, K. S. Ramsay; per Mr G. R. Ritchio-J. F. Ewen, Dr Evans, A. F. Roberts, J. B. Waters (associate), Professor Malcolm, and Dr R. Ritchie; per office—A. D. Sponce, T. Ross, F. Milnor, W. C. Howdcn, and Mesdamcs Hopcraft and Laing (associates); per R. S. Blacb-J. S. Sinclair. Total, 35 members, 4- associates. On tho motion of Mr Chisholm, seconded 'by Mr Edmond, votes of thanks wero passed' to tho secretary for his lecture work and to those members of tho executive- who had helped so well in adding to the membership. Four hundred copies of Mr Loyland's (editor of "Tho Navy") pamphlet, entitled " Tho German Navy," havo been distributed among members. MARINE TBAIKINO, Tho resolution in ro tho need of increasing tho facilities for tho naval training of tho youth of.the Dominion was further considered. Tho secretary reported that ho had communicated with the following branch secretaries:—Auckland, Wellington, Taranaki, Christohurch; Napier, Timaru-, Ashburton, Invercargill, Gore, and Masterton, and that ho has so far had replies from Gore, . Auckland, Ashburton, Timaru, Christchurch, and Wellington. All wWo favourable, though the Christchurch Branches appeared' to be asking for moVo than tho Otago Branch thought could be obtained. Ashburton agreed with tho resolution, which, it would bo remembered, proposed to approach the Minister of Marino with a view to securing a larger training vessel, but also favoured shore schools in addition. Timaru advised that there was unanimity among the Christchurch Branches so far as tho resolution went, but tho feeling was in favour of a mbre ambitious scheme than that proposed by this branch. Auckland; through its president (Mr Napier) thoroughly approved tho suggestion, and suggested a deputation to the Minister on a date to be arranged. Gore also endorsed tho resolution, and favoured tho following as well:—"Moved by Mr J. Mac Gibbon, and seconded by Mr W. Robson: 'That the Otago Branch urge upon tho Government to make provision for boys over 14 years of ago, who aro under the control of the Charitable Aid Boards and Industrial Schools of the Dominion, so that they (the boys) may bo apprenticed to tho mercantile marino servico or the naval service.'" In speaking to tho motion, Mr Mac Gibbon, who is a member of tho Southland Charitablo Aid Board, said that tho board found great difficulty in dealing with youths after they had passed tho ago of 14. Wellington wrote: "Following up ray letter of the 10th, I havo just seen Captain Hooper, of tho Amokura, an<l he, like myself, is strongly in favour of tho establishment of ehoro training depots, to bo used in conjunction with the training ship. It would make lifo moro ! bearablo for tho lads, and would enable the authorities to deal with several time 3 as many boys without undue expenditure. I shall bring tho matter before my cxecutivo at first opportunity." Christchurch submitted tho following resolution, which had been approved by its exocutivo:—"That this committee approach tho different branches in New Zealand, so as to ascertain their opinions as to tho best plan of placing beforo tho people the question of the maritimo defence of tho Dominion 1 and tho trade routes with the view of rendering tho most effectivo aid to tho Empire." Tho discussion on the'alcove was summod up in the following resolution whioh the secretary had drafted. It was moved by Mr P. R. Sargood, and seconded by Mr Goyen:—" That this branch is of opinion that it does not come within tho scope of the Navy Leaguo branches in this Dominion to formulate a scheme for tho maritimo defence of the Dominion and the trade routes, tho more especially as some definite understanding was most probably reached by tho Imperial Conference on this question. This branch, however, believes that some practical work may bo done in the matter of increased facilities for the naval training of the youth of the Dominion, and to this end requests that tho lion, secretary of the Wellington branch (Mr C. Wi Palmer)' arrange, during tho coining parliamentary , session, for a deputation to wait upon the Government to submit proposals along the lines suggested, tho secretary cf tho Otago Branch to supply Mr Palmer with the names of those members of the Otago Branch who aro members of Parliament, and also to communicate with other branch secretaries with a view to joint action." Carried unanimously. On the motion of Miss Marchant, .tho essay subject for the Fcnwiek Shield competition was referred to tho sub-committee.