Meeting of Wanganui Branch

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXIV, Issue 12793, 11 June 1909, Page 3

Meeting of Wanganui Branch

There was a fair and representative galheiinj? of citizens at the meeting held in the Drill Hall last evening' ot members of and those desirous of assisting in the great national necessity for univorsal training. Amongst those present were a number of ladies.' A number of apologies for unavoidable absence were read by - the convenor of the meeting- (Mr. J. G. McNaught, organising" secretary) from- gentlemen who expressed their full sympathy with the object of the movement. Mr. A. Hatrick, who was voted to the chair, explained that the meeting" had been called to keep alive the interest awakened by the visit and the able speech of Mr. R. McNab. In a forcible and patriotic speech, which was received with applause, Mr. Hatrick proceeded to show the necessity to put the defences of the Dominion <tt\'amore satisfactory' footing. He referred to the fact that :n: n the past we had sheltered ourselves in our extreme isolation, but the annihilation of distance wrought by the wonderful advance in shipbuilding had brought about a changed condition of affairs, and it was now imperative upon us to look into the question as to what was best to be done to be prepared to defend our shores. After expressing- bis warm approval of the principle of compulsory universal military training, he went on to say that there was one thing" we ought to do and do well, and that was to foster and encourage the Cadet movement, which was now on a more satisfactory footing" than it had been. To that end he suggested that the citizens of Wanganui 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 the 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 somethingworth 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. They should also provide gold medals, or trophies of some kind, which the bo}"s would prize. The branch should also seek Ac practical co-operation of the women of the district in the direction of forming a Red 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 of Wanganui. Mr Ualrick then briefly reviewed the history of the League, from the time of its comparatively recent inception at Hamilton until the present day, and incidentally paid a warm tribute to the good work rendered to the cause- by Captain J. G. McNaught in the capacity of organising secretary. Mr. Hatrick alluded to the Press Conference now being- held in London, and predicted that it would have "-ood and ;far reaching" effect?. Mr. Hatrick declared that even if there was no war in .our time — and he sincerely hoped there would not — universal training" should be adopted. Even if we could be assured of peace in our time it was our duty — a duty we owed to posterity — to see that the manhood of ' the Dominion were trained to become efficient defenders of their country. He then moved : — "That the citizens of Wanganui provide a New Zealand Cadet Championship Rifle Belt to be competed for annually by all ;i school cadet corps throughout the Dominion."

', Mr. Annabell seconded the motion, ■ which was discussed at some length, .and finally carried unanimously. ( At the request of the Chairman, Capjtain McNaught, after reading the minutes of the previous meeting of the

branch, concisely described the growth of ihc movement, outlined the primarj aims ot the League, ?nd detailed the specitii; businc^b tor which that 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. sccrctan and treasurer. The following officers were then elected:—Patron, Rev. J. LI. Dove; president, Mr. A. ifatiick; vicepresidents, Messrs. J. H. Burnett, Con. Burnett, Alfred Burnett, G. D. Braik, A. Bigncll, L. Cohen. Ewcn Campbell, T. D. Cummins, Walter Grey, Hope Gibbons, James Higffie, Lloyd Jonrs, Rev J. A. Jacob, Rev. Luxford, J. 11. Keesing, C. VV. Poynter, Lee-Martin, G S. Robertson,, Allan Robinson, Donald Ross, 11. Sargeant, James Thain, and Lieut.-Col. John P. Watt, V.D. GENERAL COUNCIL- Messrs James Aitlccn, U. M. Payne, »J- L- Furrie, F. farmings, \Y. Andrews. J. E. Marshall, "D. McFarlanc, Rev. Price, Rev. Morton, H. Richardson, G. Bullock, H. Purser, J. Wiliams, G. Sprifi-gens, J. Ball, F. Webb Jones, P. Lewis W. G. Bassett, W. Young/ J. T. Muir, T- C. Richardson, Dean Grogan, L. E. Bassett G. Pownall, C. Cresswell. C. Walker, T. Love. J. Liddle, N. Meuli, W. H. Bott, W. Rathbonc, G. McKay, J. Brine, D. Blanche, D. Miller, Hastings Moore. N. G. Armstrong, and \\ . Duslin; hon. treasurer, Mr. Geo. Currie; hon. secretary. Capt. McNaught. It was decided that the General Council elect from its number an executive committee at its first meeting, "to be held on Friday night next. The 'secretary was directed to communicate wtjh " the local medical practitioners with a view to securing their nractical 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 the election of officers, etc. Upwards or 50 of those present were enrolled as members of the branch. The usual compliment to the chair terminated a successful meeting.