NAVY LEAGUE NOTES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24525, 6 February 1941, Page 10

NAVY LEAGUE NOTES

The president of the Otago branch (Mr Sutherland Ross) has received a letter from Admiral Sir Sydney Fremantle, acknowledging, with thanks “comforts” sent some little time ago. “It is a most generous consignment and of great value to us at the present moment, when we are being flooded out with demands for winter outfits for large numbers of ships that are commissioning. The colour of the garments is immaterial. Men in the auxiliary craft welcome woollen garments of any colour. As they are usually . wearing oilskins, their officers are not too particular. I am very glad to hear that you are providing for your local minesweepers.” In another letter to headquarters he says:; “ There is a greater demand than ever for our comforts. , . . We cannot have too many woollens.” ' ' ,

At the Navy League War Council, held in Wellington on January 27, a hearty vote of thanks was'proposed to . the “Ladies’ Committees, of the Navy League branches in New Zealand for their-excellent work, without which the efforts of the Navy League would have been of little avail, and the Ladies’ Committees were asked to pass on this vote of thanks to all their helpers.” The chairwoman of . the Seamen’s Comforts Committee (Mrs Ross) visited, during January, the Navy League headquarters in Wellington: also the Navy Office; the office of the Canterbury branch; and was entertained by the Ladies’ Committee chairwoman, Mrs (Canon) Coats, in Auckland, meeting many members; she was also in contact with Captain F. A. Macindoe. secretary of the Merchant Service Guild. of New Zealand, in Wellington, and Mrs Vestey, working for the merchant service in Christchurch. ' From headquarters and the Navy Office (who work in close co-opera-tion) the following first-hand information was obtained:— . At present the New Zealand minesweepers are fully equipped, though it is advisable for reserve stocks to be held for replacement as required in . the future.- In the meantime, all possible efforts should be concentrated on comforts for the North. Sea. especially sea boot stockings and pullovers. Also necessary is the quota, sent monthly from this branch, of 2o pullovers and 50 pairs of socks for men of the navy and Fleet Air Arm proceeding overseas. Jf possible, these pullovers should be of navy wool and high-necked, with long sleeves. In addition (and this is a point' which will appeal to everyone), the merchant navy require socks and still more socks, also pullovers, sleeveless and with open V necks. All warm woollen garments are welcome, buf it will be seen that the chief needs are pullovers, sea-boot stockings and socks. Next week’s notes will contain the list of all those who have sent in work done in the holidays. The committee is very grateful to all those who, by their efforts, have made it possible to start the year with a goodly supply of comforts. These will be packed.up and sent away as soon as possible.