NAVY LEAGUE MESSAGE.

Colonist, Volume LVI, Issue 13635, 25 November 1914, Page 1 (Supplement)

NAVY LEAGUE MESSAGE.

SPIRIT OF CONFIDENCE AND HOPE.

PRESENT ACTIVITIES OF THE 1 LEAGUE.

The following communication from the headquarters in London of the Navy League has been received by Mr H. R. (Duncan, honorary .secretary of the Nelson branch of the League :-— In this time of grave trial for the Empire as a whole, the Executive Committee of the Navy League is proud to be in the position to send the strongest {possible message of confidence and hope ffco the committees and members of our Ibranchos overseas. Nothing has made greater appeal to the imagination, nor more deeply stirred the patriotism of the people of this conn try than tho universal outburst of unqualified loyalty which has hewn shown everywhere in the overseas Dominions. The massage of His Majesty tho King, which was issued ■yesterday to the people of tho whole j Empire, is an unqualified expression of the grateful feelings of the whole people )of the United Kingdom. The Navy has been doing its great work silently and patiently, and everyjone now recognises that the contimious struggle maintained by the Navy [League for over twenty years to secure iour supremacy of the sea when the. crucial moment arrived has been more than justified. No greater tribute can he paid to the propaganda of the Navy [League than that at the present m> snent the seas are open, British trade and commerce with friendly and neutral nations are proceeding almost; .'without interruption, and the_ food supply, as well as the raw materials of tho industries of the people of this country are completely safeguarded. The [Executive Committee are satisfied that this happy condition of affairs must be gratifying to every citizen who in past years supported this movement. * The- September issue of the ''^avy, of which copies have been specially forwarded to you through the_ post, will indicate generally the position which the League occupies in tho terrible struggle in which the Empire now plays bo vital a part. The activities of the League since tho jpntbreak of war have been manifold: — (1) With the approval of the Adtoiralty a scheme of Volunteer Coast DPatrioi was organised, and hundreds of volunteers, selected with tthe greatest care, took up their duties by night and 'day on various parts of tho coast. (2) A splendid contingent of trained nurses, numbering several hundreds, has been specially organised for service an naval hospitals and convalescent ■homes. (3) Several hundred houses have beeai Secured as convalescent hornet for invalided seamen, and for light cases. (4) A ladies' emergency committee., laving their work depot at the Langiiam Hotel, has provided an enormous jquantity of material to provide ■underclothing for wounded men from the fleet, as well as hospital requirements. (5) A special committee of ladies has forwarded "comforts," including warm underclothing, mufflers, Balaclava lielinots, pipes, tobacco, joltocola^erWoiti, and magazines, to practically every ship in the fleet. (6) The whole- machinery of the Navy (League has bwn placed at the disposal ©f the Admiralty and tho Army Council for recruiting purposes, and in the London area alone sixty meetings per weeic are being held for the promotion of recruiting " activity. An immense quantity of literature Shas been issued by the Navy League, of which specimens aro attached, with 'the object of helping the auihonties to fetir up the nation in support-of Lord sKitcheiHff's appeal. Branches of the GLeague throughout the country are in active co-operation with the various societies whose object is to make provision for wounded, and the dependents iof those who have gone to the front on sea and land. . Other activities of various kinds are •being maintained, and the committee feel that this action will commend itself to our branches overseas. The conviction of the people, or this country is unhesitating in looking torward to but one result of the present war and that is the suppression, of military autocracy in European policy, the establishment of permanent and abiding friendship between nations, the advancement of all the causes which make for the good of humanity without interference from the military caste of Central Europe; and, finally, .the establishment of a permanent basis of the •isocial and economic progress of manl\Vi'th warm greetings and best wishes to your committee, your members, and yourself, Believe me, Yours sincerely, B. HANNON, General Secretary.