VICTORIA LEAGUE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26114, 29 March 1946, Page 6

VICTORIA LEAGUE

WAR MEMORIAL PROPOSAL NEW HOUSE IN LONDON (N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent) (Rec. 10 p.m.) LONDON, Mar. 28. A new and larger Victoria League House in London as a memorial to those killed, blinded, or maimed during the war is planned by the Victoria League. It will cost £200,000, and appeals for donations are to be made throughout Britain and the Empire.

“It is the first appeal the league has made in 50 years,” said the chairman, the Duchess of Devonshire, discussing the plans. The intention was that Victoria League House should be a place where “citizens of the British Empire” could stay when they came to London, where they could entertain each other, and where every form of hospitality could be organised. It was the league’s objective to make everybody coming to Britain from the Commonwealth feel that they were coming to a second home. “For the safety of the world, Britain and the Empire should be-close to one another. The best way to forge the bonds of unbreakable steel, we ieel, is through personal affection and .respect,” said the duchess. She added that the league placed the greatest emphasis on personal hospitality. Living War Memorial

Colonel R. W. Hills, the secretary of the league, said it was hoped that the new house would be a “ living memorial” to those who had died or suffered in the war. “We feel,’’ he said, “ they would like to know; there is one memorial to their sacrifice to which their relatives, friends, and countrymen can come and where they will be cared for.” People who went from Britain to the Empire were “ absolutely overwhelmed with hospitality” and the league wanted to make sure it returned that when Empire visitors came to Britain. . During the war the league had helped to provide as much hospitality as .possible. It had arranged 1500 “first visits” and a great many more subsequent visits. Giving an instance of the enthusiasm of its members -to entertain service personnel from overseas, Colonel Hillis said a man and his wife in Warwickshire, with one small child and no outside help, had entertained no fewer than 400 people. The league was specially interested in providing ■ facilities for students. It also communicated with girls who had married Dominion servicemen and had gone overseas. It entertained Dominion girls who married British servicemen .and were now living in Britain.

Praise for New Zealand

During the forthcoming Victory Parade celebrations, it would provide hospitality for 3000 members of the dominion forces who would be taking part. The league was particularly, appreciative of parcels sent from all the dominions to Britain. “New Zealand has done a tremendous job. in sending food parcels and, clothes for our bombed-out poor and old. Only recently we had another 150 parcels from Wanganui,” Colonel Hills said. The league was to-day “ expanding and bursting at the seams” and must have a bigger house where people of the dominions visiting Britain could feel they were coming to another home. .