TRAFALGAR DAY

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2287, 22 October 1914, Page 8

TRAFALGAR DAY

NAVY LEAGUE GATHERING

SPEECH BY DEFENCE MINISTER

Three thousnnd people attended tho Trafalgar celebration, organised by the Navy League, in tho Town Hall last evening. The programme included patriotic addresses, musical items, motion pictures, and lantern slides. Ihe proceedings ivero opened with the iSational Anthem, and an overture of patriotic airs by Mr. W. M'Lauglintß ° r ro '' es i ra ; Aft er this tho Mayor (Mr. J. p. Luke) asked the audience to join with him in paying a tribute to the memory of Lord Nelson. Hβ mentioned that the Battle of Trafalgar was fought JO9 years ago, and that on that occasion nineteen British ships engaged and defeated seventeen French and fifteen Spanish ships. The Mayor concluded a brief speech with a compliment to the Navy League. Tho Minister of Defence (the Hon. James Allen) addressed the gathering Hβ congratulated the Navy League on what it had done in the past, and expressed his confidence in its doing good work in tho future. Mr. Allen went on to say that that day he had been offered a force of '2000 Natives to go to tho front. (Applause.) Referring to the anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar, he said that 109 years ago a tradition was founded which to-day every Briton was proud of. Such traditions taught us that a nation must bo strong, and that if it would be groat it must be merciful and just. Alluding tothe present war, he said that Bnbain had entered into the struggle with a clear conscience, fighting for ' tho right. The proceeds of the gathering, ho remarked, would be divided between the Belgian Relief Fund and the War Fund. All could feel justly proud of the gallant Belgians, and it was good to know that Britain and Franco had declared that this war would not end till Belgium was restored to its people. There could, he said, be no doubt as to the result of this struggle, but he pointed out that n-e might have troubles to hear before the end came, and that tho British troops might have hardships to suffer. Over the yeare there drifted an echo of Nelson's famous message: ."England expects that every man this day will do his duty." Mr. Allen wont on to remark that New Zealand was grateful indeed for the protection afforded by the Navy. It was a solemn duty, and a great privilege for New Zealand to offer n-hatcver it had to tho Empire. New Zealand had fulfilled one duty. A call had come to occupy Samoa and destroy the German wireless there. Now Zealand had fulfilled that duty, and, when the struggle ended, wo, with all the Empire, would look forward to a great and lasting peace. There was much in Gorman civilisation which Britons did not despise, but thoir militarism wo did despise. (Applause.) During tho evening tho Navy Leagno's prizes for an essay on "What naval disaster would mean to the British Empire, and to Now Zealand in particular," wero presented to the following children:—Clydo Quay School: Standard VI, Nelly Schauer; Standard V. Marie Manthel, Daisy Donnelly, W. L. Partridge, Harold Atkinson; Standard IV, Patricia, Olmtwin, Eileen Rogers, Cedric Gardiner, Fred Jeseen. Kilbirnie School: Standard VI, G. Gilberteon; Standard V, E. Ayling. Mount Cook Girls" School: Ella Carruthors, Annie Carpenter. Northland School: Hector Donaldson, Charles Shapcott. Roseueath: Tom Stnart-Mentcath. To Aro: C Pope, T. Columb. Thorndon formal: Henry Thomas Harris, . Jean Lauronson, Hector J. M'Donald. Terrace: A. Ker, R. Reveirs, C. Black, (1. Baldey. Highly commended, F. Tuckwell, R. Young, E. Reeves. The following items, in addition to tlioso already mentioned, were on the programme:—Song, "Tho Empire of the Sea," Mr. Charles Clarkson; soli", "Land of Mine," Miss Mina Caldow; duet, "Larboard Watch," Messrs. Harry Phipps and Charles Clarkson: song, "The Death of Nelson," Mr. Harry Phipps; song, "Dear Motherland," Miss Mina Oaldow; lantern e'idas of tlo Leipsic, other warships, submarines, etc. ;• motion picture of K.M.S. New Zealand; finale, "Enle Britannia," with Mr. Charles Clarkson in. the solo part. GREETINGS FROM CHRISTCHTJRCH By Telegra-ph—Press Association—Copyright Chrlstchurch, October 21. This morning the secretary of the Navy Leaguo sent the following cablegram to tho Admiralty for transmission to the Commander of the British Fleet in the North Sea: "The Navy League of Chrietchurch, New Zealand, send Trafalgar Day greotmgs to tho Britisli Fleet defending tho Empire in the North Sea," THE DAY AT DUNEDIN. (By Telegraph.—Prose Association;) Dunedin, October 21. There was no ceremony on. account of Trafalgar Day this. morning except at ouo or two schools, but every available flag was.hoisted. This afternoon was observed as a close half-holiday, when a novel method of raising funds for patriotic purposes was tried. At 3 o'clock meetings wero held in the four largest halls in the city. At No. 1 admission was by gold coin; at! No. 2, five shillings; at No. 3, half a crown; at No. 4, a silver coin. Similar programmes were given at each hall, nine bands assisting.