NATIONAL DEFENCE LEAGUE.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12238, 11 June 1909, Page 4

NATIONAL DEFENCE LEAGUE.

The. meeting convened Jiy the secretary of the local branch "of :,the iSTatidnal "■ V Defence League, and held in the Drill Hall last evening, was attended by a representative gathering of citizens, in- : eluding' a considerable number of ladies. . IMr Alexander Ha'trick was voted to the chair.-. A large number of apologies were received from gentlemen who expressed their full sympathy with the object of the movement represented by the League. Mr Hatrick, in an earnest and patri- . otic speech, referred to the oxisting international conditions and to the need , for preparedness which those conditions imposed upon the people of the Britisn Empire. He expressed his hearty approval of the principle of -compulsory universal military training, and urged that the<-first thing to do in .that connection was to foster and encourage the' cadet movement, which had of recent years been placed on a more satisfactory footing in New Zealand. To that end ho suggested that the citizens of Wanganiu might help materially by providing a championship rifle belt, to be competed for annually by school cadets throughout the Dominion. Such a trophy—which might be supplemented by a champion shield and by medals for individual marksmanship—would, - he argued, prove an attractive incentive to tho boys, and would do much towards encouraging them to make themselves efficient riflemen. He felt sure that a championship belt would be looked upon as an honourable prize, as something worth striving for both for the honour of the school and of the ..individual. It would be a source of pride and pleasure to the people of Wanganui to know that they had provided such a trophy, and it would prove, he felt sure, a great aid towards the attainment of the object they all had in view. The branch should also seek the practical co-opera-tion of the women of the district in tho direction of forming a lied Cross 'Association. Ambulance and nursing organisations were an essential feature of any satisfactory system of defence, - and in the promotion of this important branch- of the League's work he felt convinced they would have the sympathy and support of the women or Wanganui. Mr Hatrick then briefly reviewed the history of the League, from the time.of its comparatively recent in- ' ception at Hamilton until the present day, and incidently paid a warm tribute to the good work rendered tt> the cause by Captain .T. G. McNaught in tho capacity of - organising . secretary. Mr Hatrick alluded.to the Press Conference now being held in London, and predicted that it would have good and far-reaching effects. In conclusion Mr Hatrick emphasised the wisdom and equity, of the cause represented by the League. He sincerely, hoped, he said,, that the horrors of war would not De experienced either in our own or in our childrens' time; but he urged that even if wo. could be assured that peace would remain undisturbed it would still be our duty—a duty which we owed to posterity—to see • that in our time the way was prepared for making the manhood of tho Dominion efficient defenders of ' their hearths and'homes. (Applause.) Mr Hatrick then moved that —"The citizens of Wanganui provide a New Zealand Champion Rifle Belt, to be competed for annually by primary schooi cadets throughout tho Dominion." - .

Mr Annabell seuunded the motion, which, after a somewhat lengthy discussion, in the course of which the proposal, was generally approved, was put and carried unanimously. At the request of the Chairman, Captain McNaugHt, after reading tlie minutes of the previous meeting of the branch, concisely described the growth of the movement, outlined^ the primary aims of the League, and detailed thy specific business tor which 'thai meeting had been called.

The proposal to establish, a women's branch of the Red Cross Corps was enthusiastically supported, > and 'Miss Newcombe was-appointed as hon. secretary and treasurer.

The following officers were then elected:—Patron, llev. J. L. Doyej vicepresidents, Messrs J. H. Burnett, Con. Burnett, Alfred .Burnett, G. D. Braik, A. Bignell, L..Cohen, Ewen Campbell, T. D. Cummins, Walter Grey, Hope Gibbons, James Higgie, Lloyd Jones, Rev." J. A. Jacoh, Rex.'Luxford, J. H. Keesing, 'C. W. Poynter, Lee-Martin, G. S. Robertson, Allah Robinson,' Donald Ross, H, , Sergeant, James Thain, and Lieut .-Col. John P. Watt, V.D. GENERAL COUNCIL—Messrs James Aitk'en, H. M. Payne, J. %i. Furrie, ' — Jannings, W.- Andrews, J. E- Marshall, D. McFarlane, Rev. Price, • Rev. Morton, H., : Richardson,. G. Bullock, H. Purser, j. Williams, G". Spriggens, J. Ball, F. Webb Jones P. Lewis, W. G. Bassett, W. Young,- J. T. Muir, J. C. Richardson, Dean Grogan, Leu. Bassett, G. Pownall, C. Cresswell, C. Walker, B. Love, J. Liddle,,N. Meuli, W. H. Bott, W. Rathbone, G. McKay, J. Brine, D. Blanche, D. Miller, Hastings Moore/'N. G. Armstrong, and W.: Dus- ' tin; hon, treasurer,. Mr Geo. Currie; hon. secretary,, Capt.., McNaught. It was decided that the General Council elect from their number ari executive - committee at its first meeting, to bo -. held on Friday night next. The secretary was directed to communicate with .the local medical practitioners with a view to seturing their practical assistance towards the women's branch of the Red Cross Corps. It was decided to call a special meeting of the ladies next Thursday' for tho election of officers, etc. Upwards of -50 of those present were enrolled as members of the branch.

A vote of thanks to the- chairman concluded a highly successful meeting.