EX-NAVAL MEN

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 32, 6 August 1936, Page 24

EX-NAVAL MEN

CONSTITUTION ADOPTED

fJ^V ad°ption, of a constitution formed an important part of the business at a general meeting of the Wellington branch of the Ex-Royal Naval Mens Association of New Zealand (Inc.) held in the Missions to Seamen Institute last night. Aiming at bringing together all exKoyal naval men, the constitution states that the association is to be non-party and non-political, to be run by rank and file control, and by Parliamentary ruling, giving the right of speech to all, members.

A definite policy of the association is to form a bond of unity and friendship between members, thus becoming a society with the object of aiding and assisting its members at all times. It also aims at trying to get those who are unemployed rehabilitated in industry.

A resolution proposing that the rules of the Auckland branch of the association be adhered to by the Wellington members w.as, after a brief but lively discussion, carried by a large majority. It was decided to rent a room for the use of members.

Owing to the retirement of the ■president, Mr. W. H. V. Baker, it was found necessary to hold an election of officers. The following were appointed:—Patron, Engineer LieutenantCommander W. Earnshaw, R.N. (retired); president. Mr. H. C. Allison; vice-presidents, Messrs. C. A. WilsonGrant and Morgan-Davies; secretary. Mr. W. J. Condon; treasurer, Mr. A. J. Anglis; executive, Messrs. H. P. Cleverly, L. C. Turner, H. Sparks, T. Mihell. E.. Miles, A. E. Amey. Mr. W. J. Condon was also appointed the association's official visitor.

in a position for immediate aggression and war, when everything is laid aside in these countries and the whole aim is to make them self-supporting in every detail, and every man is trained to arms and the whole industry converted to the- production of munitions, and even the- children in school educated from earliest youth on ideas of war —if we can suppose that while that is going on so close, we can afford to remain in this condition .of easygoing, self-indulgence with no foundation on which to rest either for food or arms, we are unworthy of the generations who have brought Britain to greatness and power. '

"Mr. Baldwin said in the House of Commons last week that he believed if this country were threatened by any Power or combinations of Powers.Jhe people would spring to arms like one man. But what (asked Mr. Churchill) would happen if there were no arms for them? If measures are not taken in time there may not be even fopd to nourish their bodies."