NAVY LEAGUE FLAG.

Patea Mail, Volume XLIX, 14 November 1928, Page 3

NAVY LEAGUE FLAG.

ALTON

PRESENTED TO SCHOOL. A very pleasant function was held at the school on Monday afternoon, when a visit was paid by His \\ orship the Mayor of Patca (Mr. P. S. Finlayson), Mr. R. Darroch, secretary of the Navy' League, and Mr. E. F. Hemingway', a vi'ce-president of the Welling ton branch of the league. Mr. A. J. Gibbs, chairman of: the School Committee, Mrs. Gibbs, and -Mr. Gush, member of the committee, were also present. Mr. Gibbs, in a brief speech, said he had much pleasure in welcoming the visitors to the school that day. Mr. Hemingway they all knew as their representative on the Education Board; Mr. Finlayson they also knew, for he had always taken the keenest, interest in their school sports and everything pertaining to the welfare of die schools in the district. He had much pleasure also in welcoming Mr. Darroch, the secretary' of the Navy' League, to the school. As there were other

speakers to follow, he would not detain them, but would ask Mr. Hemingway to address them. Mr. Hemingway' said he had much pleasure ou behalf of the league, ir. asking His Worship to present to (be school a Union Jack on behalf of the Wellington Navy League, in recogni tion of the fact that practically tin whole of the pupils of the school had joined the league. The flag was lie emblem of freedom, security, ami jus tice for all. Unfortunately' there were forces at work endeavouring to tear down this flag and run up the Red Flag in its place—a flag that would only' bring misery and suffering in ;ts train. He urged the children to support the Navy League as it wa the Navy which helped to keep their flag flying at the masthead. They owed a duty to those who had dim for the flag to 3ee that it was kept fly'ing, remembering that no less than 16,000 New Zealanders laid down their lives in the Great War. If they did not each of them do their best to keep the flag flying they were showing that they were not grateful for the sacrifices that had been made on their behalf. When they' thought of those who had died for them they should remember the words of the poet:

“All that they had they gave, In sure and simple faith; There can no kuowTcdge reach their

grave, To make them grudge their death, Save only if they understood That after all was done, We they redeemed denied their blood, And mocked the gains it avou.’’

Mr. R. Darroch, who Avas received ivith applause, in a brief and interesting address, said: — -

“We are present to-day on behalf of the Wellington- branch of tho Navy League to do honour to your school, because you believe iu the British Navy and you are therefore Avorthy to follow in the footsteps of the “Men of Alton’’ Avho laid down their lives for us and of Avhom we were reminded yesterday in the Armistice services. “Without the strong British Navy in August, 3914, avc should have been defeated, and under the arrogant rule of Germany to-day. In March, 1915, Fred. I. Jane, tho eminent naval authority, Avriting to the “Evening •Btandard,” said that the House of Commons voted for a strong Navy because the Navy League compelled it to do io. Humanly speaking, the Navy Lea-geo had saved England from tho fate of Belgium. “Tie necessity for the Navy Lea-gue,to-day is greater than at any previous period iu tho Empire’s history, .Jccauso there arc-so many pacifists and gentle-minded people abroad who would strip us of every ship and every gun, Avhilst they never say a word about abolishing the police force. *‘ We AVant you io realise that Britain has fulfilled her obligations to the league of Nations, and led the Avorld in disarmament. She has scrapped 200 ■warships, totalling two million tons; reduced her Navy by 40,000 men and made similar reductions in arsenals and Army. “Wc must have adequate naval protection, as the best guarantee of peace, and in the event of war the strong NaA’y is our only chance of victory at sea. Defeat at sea Avould mean the destruction of our Empire, an Empire greater than Caesar ever kneAv, a-quartcr of the land surface of the globe, and the best quarter, with a population of 450 millions. What do they 3cnoAV of England who only England know? The NaA'y League tries to encourage and help boys and girls to learn all about the history of the Great Empire," Avhieh has grown under the protecting influence of tho British Navy. It has 80,000 miles ot trade routes guarded night and day by tho ships of the British Navy. “Lord Jcllicoc said:

‘The sea is our life. Hy the use of it the Empire was formed; By holding it the Empire has been preserved; If ttc fail to realise its value the Empire will perish.’ "Boys and girls, we want you to study history and learn all about your Empire, its greatness and the greatness of its great men who have handed it down to us and it is a sacred, charge to us to guard it and keep it and fight for it. "If we. read our history we shall find that the overseas expansion really began with Drake. A play was rc-

cent I y performed in England entitled ‘Drake,’ in which Queen Elizabeth asks .'fir Francis Drake to tell the people what he has done in his three years’ voyage round tlie world. He replied:

‘ Wo have opened the gates of the sea, We have given you the key's ul the

world; From this day forward the English merchant may rove where he will, And no man shall say' him nay.

Our work is done. Your’s is to begin. Men pass away, but the people abide. .See that yc hold fast the heritage wo leave ye.'

“Boys and girls, never let any foreigner nor any enemy within our gates say a word against the British Empire, because wo know Hurt wherever the Union Jack Hies there is liberty, freedom, justice, and equal opportunity ror all.

“On looking into your history you will find that the greatest men of the world in science, art, literature, religion, education, navigation, etc., have been British, and wc would have you learn to say r and feci: I love the British Empire because it is my' Empire, and more, because it is a free Empire, and I burn with a zeal for its advancement in prosperity aud in the happiness of all its people.

“Remember that the Navy' League stands for God, for King, for Empire, ami by being" a member of the Navy League you will feel that you are doing something to back up the strong British Navy which is Britain's Bure .Shield." I

Mr. Hemingway, then jcallcd upon His Worship to present the flag to the school.

Mr. Finlayson, Avho avu-s received with applause, said that like Mr. Darroeh he was an old teacher, having taught for II years, which was partly why he took so keen an interest in school matters. He liked to see schools competing Avith each other, and afterwards bring home such trophies as he saw on tho mantelpiece there that day. He congratulated the school most heartily on being deemed Avorthy to receive the flag and ho thanked Mr Hemingivay for tho priA'ilegc of being present » present it. The flag Avas being hand ato the school to keep and to cherish it was the flag of liberty, freedom, and justice in whatever part of the world it was flown. It was up to every bo\ and girl to stand by it because mule it they would be secure. On behalf o; the Navy League he had much pleasure iu presenting the flag to tho schoo. (Applause.) His Worship then handed the flag t<

Mr. Clcmance, head teacher, who thanked the speakers for their remarks concerning the school, and Mr. Darroch for having brought them the flag. Wlion they joined the league they had no thought of winning the flag. They were one and all delighted to think they had been doomed worthy to receive it, and he could assure Mr. Darroch it aa-ouRI be cherished by the pupils of the school. (Applause.) 1 -The proceedings closed with the singing of the National Anthem, the flagbeing afterwards run up and saluted by the pupils, cheers being- given for the Navy League. The visitors Averc hospitably entertained by Mrs. Clcmance to a dainty afternoon tea prior to leaving for home.