NATIONAL DEFENCE.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12244, 18 June 1909, Page 8

NATIONAL DEFENCE.

WANGANUI WOMEN^S BRANCH

"AMBULANCE SATURDAY" TO BE

HELD

•■■■-.. The meeting of'women called for last night in I?uigan?& robnis by Neswcombe, the en^rgetic^and,popular hon; eecretary of <the Tfomen's branch-' of the National Defenfce League tr>. .elect ofß-. ceirs and establish ,",a -Red r Crbsig JCqrps ;V.as very largely attended. :.The whole rrooeedings %f an ehthusiasiiic nature. Miss Fraser, .of the Girls' College, presided. Varriey (director of Wie Technical School)' '■ J. Brino and Capt. McNaught,: were; in attendance; at the request of the local branch «.f the League to explain the necessary details with regard to .the j establishment of an ambulance brigade and nursing; division - under .the St. John's Ambulance Association. ••;'-

Miss Fraser, in opening:, the meeting, deliyer«»d a splendid address to. those , present^' in ..which ; she," strongly.'advocated .every, woman :'thr^rigH<jutv the ..length and' breadth of New Zealand talcing.an fictiyeinteriestan <the> movement fat! present occupying the .minds no£the.lending statesmen in Great Britam and hor oversea dominions) regard-' ing defence, .■particularly universal defijttqe. fin the interests of the peace of the4 TvOrid and the hearths and homes pf tijapeople/everv mother should feel it: her bminden duty to see that her ...pohs v ,.and daughters received proper trainins- in self-defence, obcd'ence, clean -lif©' and habits. Miss Fraser believed that, a'system of universal military tjrainm<*\wquld not only 'be beneficial to the young men of Nmv Zealand but from" her, }t>^vn . knowledge of the habits and •acti<tfi^.:of many of the New 'Zealand TWiths between the ages of 16 and 21 it was| absolutely neoossarv in the interests ofise national life of our people. ,Miss.#rSser concluded an elo-qijeiit-andiprmTjle appeal to the women of• Wariganitito take up this cmestion W^ithV a./firm^deitermination so that the improyenieij't of our young people, physically land morally, should be nobly ■assisted by every true woman Members/funds, and co-operation were necessary, and, Miss Fraser earnestly hoped that the National Defence League's admirable platform for tho safe deferce of' the Dominion would be early consummated. • ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The following officers wee ejected: President, Miss Fraser; vice-rxreudents, Mrs J. McN. Christie', Mrs J.-L. Dove, Mrs A. Hatrick, Mrs Mackay, Mrs H. M. Payne; general council, Miss Alexander, Miss" Allan, Mrs Dr Anderson, Mrs John' Anderson, Mrs Barn coat, Mrs BrookfieJd, Mrs Craig, Mrs Cameron, Mrs H. F. Christie, Misses Craig, Currie, Cox, Cummins, M^j D'Arcy, ; Mrs Greenwood, Miss Inkster, Mrs Morton Jones, Mrs J. L. Jacob, Mrs Keesing, Missts Knapp, G eson, Mrs Krujl, Misses Morton, McLean, Mrs Geo." McKay, Mrs D. Millar, Mrs Jas. Grant, Miss McMurray, Mrs McKennyj Mrs Dr Porrett, Misses Parkes, Rcss, Mrs A. Sheriff, Mrs Ser/eant, Miss Towsey, Mrs Varney, Mrs J. P. Watt, Mrs Dr. Wall, Mrs Wickham, and another; executive committee, to attend men's council meeting to-night im the Drill Hall at 8. o'clock, Miss Newcombo (secretary), Miss Fraser (president), Mesdames Hatrick, Serjeant, Currie, Dove; secretary and treasurer, Miss M. Newcombe. AMBULANCE SATURDAY. It was unanimously 'decided by all present that an annual Ambulance Saturday for the necessary funds to equip aiid establish an Ambulance Brigade and Nurses' Division, be instituted in Wanganui. The question of holding ..the "first one was .fixed -for "Saturday tortnight. • Flill! details and arrarigo- * menia will: bo published in a "later isuie.J lPhei.yhole -^jf- tiie' wbrneir present undertook to. wear the red cross arm badge, etc., that day.

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL. It was decided that the general council elect from their number an executive council at its first meeting t:> work with thp executive council of the men's branch in all matters in the interests of both branches. Some seventy members were enrolled at tho conclusion of the meeting. AMBULANCE BRIGADE. It was unanimously decided (and all present joined) to form an ambulance brigade, and all data for the commencement of work will be available in the course of a few days, when the members will be called together. THANKS. Capt. McNaught, on behalf of the National Defence League, thanked Miss Fraser and all present for their splendid attendance and sympathy towards the movement. A special word of praise is due to Miss Newcombe for the way she worked up the meeting and gave attention to the many details that spell success. A highly and enthusiasts meeting was brought to a close with a hearty vote of thanks to Miss Fraser for presiding..