VICTORIA LEAGUE.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1752, 17 May 1913, Page 10

VICTORIA LEAGUE.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING, Tho general meeting and conversaziotto of tlio Victoria League was held in tho Sydney Street Sclioolroom last evening. The lion. 11. D. Bell presided, and there wero associated with him upon the platform Miss Coalos (president), Mrs. Chatlield (hon. secretary), Mrs. Corliss, president oi the Girls' Branch of tlio League, tho Mayor and Mayoress, Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Luke, Mrs. (iodley, Mr. C. B. Mori- ' son, K.C., and Dr. Martin. Tlio annual report, load by Mrs. Chatfield, stated inter alia that the leagifli luid made a substantial advance in work during the past year, and it was a niattur of regret that tlio membership should not have' increased in tho same ratio. Tho work was still somewhat hampores/. by want of funds. Tho league hod been further honoured by the patronage of his Majesty tho King, as well as that of Jier Majesty tho Queen, and during tho past year the vice-patrons who had contented ito hold office wero 11. R.H. tlio Duke of Connaught, H.K.H. Prinooss Christian of Schlcswig-llolstcinj H.lt.H, Princess Louise, Duchess, of Argylo, showing tho interest and appreciation of tho work-of tlio Victoria League which is taken by "the Royal Family of England. Tho most notable extension of tho work of tho Wellington branch, continued tho report, was tho library scheme. Quito a flourishing interchange of 'books,- and magazines was going on, country people in tlio back country near Ohakuno, Taihapo, Ohingaiti, Alfredtan, Daunevirke, Manawatu. Wairarapa, Marlborough, and tho Friendly Islands being regularly supplied. Thanks were expressed to the management of tlio U.S.fe. - Company for carrying parcels free of charge, and it was regretted that tlio railways could not see their way to doing a like kindness, although they cany parcels ireo of chargo for hospitals of all kinds, and in England and Australia tho Victoria Leaguo aro treated with similar generosity. During the year tho Colonial Intelligence Leajfuo wrote asking tho Victoria Leaguo to givo information as to wages, housing, rents, etc, in New Zealand, and had since written very grateful thanks and appreciation for the information which was carefully collected and sent to them. A society which arranges for tho emigration of superannuated soldiers and sailors was also in touch with the league, in coso any residents hero would liko to havo selected men of good character sent out as generally useful helpers. 'I ho annual conference, held in London, by the Victoria League, will take placo probably on ' Empire Day, tho special subjects. to bo considered being "Public Health and the "Housing of tho Poor. '1 lie leaguo had been invited to send delegates if possible. Tlio balance-sheet showed a credit bal-

ance of lt'3s 13s. 2d. ... . Mr. C. 13. Morison, in moving tho adoption I ot tho report and balance-sheet, congratulated the lcaguo upon the satisfactoryground which it occupied. Ho also brought before tho notice of members nil opportunity of extending their workia quite another direction. While staying at Taupu sorno littlo while ago, ho bad met Mr. Rowland, aii Englishman, who was visiting New Zealand for tho pur- , poso of gathering information about tho country, with tho view of placing its advantages before young l'jiiglishmcn, With a certain amount of menus, desirous of settling upon land, or of going into other occupations hero. On his return to bugland ho was going to lccturo in the public schools, exhibit pictures and photographs of tho Dominion, and tso induco tho voung men. to como to this country instead ot going,to Canada, a rival field for immigration-. > It,.ivas ,a-niosj;/desir-able form of immigration, and the leaguo might assist by inducing people to tonn •committees in various parts of the conntry, ta whom these men coula turn tor advice, information, and protection from land sharks. ... j)r Martin seconded tho resolution. Mr. Bell also spoke, and in tho courso of his romarks touched upon tho way in which the operations of tho league brought into touch the most distant parts "f tho Empire. With reference to Mr Morison's seuggestion for immigration, he thought that Mr. Massey and his colleagues could not but give cordial support to a schcmo of immigration that worked side by side with the Government, not n opposition to it, Particularly as it would not trespass on Government funds. Tho Mayor, Mr. Luke, also spoke of tho and in it Mr. Massey expressed his cordial svmpathy with tho work carried on bj the ?c»3iie, anil his sincere wishes for a S T short programmo of music Mr Bocufve, and Mrs. V. Nathan. Mr* nlaved th® accompaniments. Supper concluded an interesting jri=s Coatcs received members on their entrance into the hall. She wor® a black rown and long black satin coat, ilr«. • Chatfield was in bhck rehevod : white; Mrs. Cjodley wore black, Mrs. tor lies, grev, with Oriental crabroidei cs, Mrs. Luke, black velvet. Among others «-lin were nrcsent were: Ml s - ' wearing black; Mrs. II U Bell and Miss Hell- the Hon. V. M. B. Fisher and Mrs. lrisl'cr La(iy Stout, Mr. 'Justice Chanman and Mrs. Chapman. Larm»cl>, Miss Harding, Mrs. lJaiikiue-Brawn. JJr. Platte-Mills. Mrs. Butts, Miss Payne, Mis Cosleridge, Mrs. Litchfield, Mr. and Mrs. Tringham, and many others.