DEDICATION OF COLOURS

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22516, 26 September 1938, Page 3

DEDICATION OF COLOURS

FORMER NAVAL MEN PARADE THROUGH CITY The colours of the Christchurch branch of the ex-Royal Naval Men's Association, in memory of men who were killed at sea during the war, were consecrated by Bishop WestWatson at the Cathedral on Saturday morning. There was an impressive parade of members of the various branches of the New Zealand forces, as well as of the association itself, South African war veterans, the Old Contemptibles' Association, and Navy League sea cadets. The parade was under the command of Major H. M. Foster, N.Z.S.C, and was inspected by the Officer Commanding the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy (Commodore I. G. Glennie). The Mayor (Mr R. M. Macfarlane) and the Town Clerk (Mr J. S. Neville) attended the service. Led by the band of the First Battalion, the Canterbury Regiment, and the Royal Marines' Band from H.M.S. Achilles, the parade marched from the railway station to the Cathedral. The. colours, presented to the association by business houses and citizens, comprise a white ground, on which are emblazoned the White and Blue ensigns, and a globe, signifying the Navy, the mercantile marine, and the Royal Marines. On the reverse is a scroll bearing the name of the branch. Two hundred and sixty men and officers- took part in the parade. The former naval men were commanded by Commander A. G. Boyle, the Old Contemptibles by Major H. H. Bro\vne, and the Veterans and Returned Soldiers' Association members by Captain J. Salt.

Bishop's Address "To-day we live under the shadow of international anxiety and distress," said Bishop West-Watson in his address. "Parts of the world are already involved in war."

Men's efforts for peace seemed puny in the face of the tremendous forces which were being unleashed. As they turned in bewilderment from the frustration of the best efforts of men they would find above One whom they could trust. Bishop West-Watson prayed that the hearts of men might be turned to peace and justice. After a prayer for the King, the Bishop then consecrated the colours in memory of those who lost their lives at sea during the War, and dedicated them as a. sign of duty to King and Country in the sight of God. The colours were then received back by the colour party, which repeated the prayer of consecration.

Special reference was made by Bishop West-Watson, during prayers for peace, to the hope for a successful outcome of the negotiations between Herr. Hitler and Me A,

prayer for the British Empire followed, and the service ended with the singing of the National Anthem. The parade then moved from the Cathedral to the plot facing the war memorial. A wreath, in the form of a floral white ensign, was placed in front of the memorial on behalf of the association. A bugler from H.M.S. Achilles then sounded "Last Post" and "Reveille." * After the inspection by Commodore .gleanis, the parade marched off,