NELSON DAY

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9796, 20 October 1917, Page 3

NELSON DAY

NAVY LEAGUE CONCERT £11! JOSEPH IVABD OX NELSON AM) THE NAVY. At the Town Hal] yc-doi'day.. evening u concert, was hold under the auspices of the Wellington Navy League. Among those xuvscui. were His lAcellemy the Governor-General (Lord Liverpool,), Sir Joseph Ward, and the .Mayor i.Mr J. H. Luke, C.M.Uo. There was a large attendance. A choir of several hundred boys ami girls, drawn from Iho Wellington city and suburban primary schools, the girls wearing ml, white and blue sashes over their dresses, took a prominent pan in the musical programme. The tlioii, which hud been. well trained under the conduct.orsiup of Mr Hobart Harkei, sang lo piano and organ _ accompaniment me unison songs "Ui>imient 10 the Cali,’' “.Now /calami, My Homeland ' tUunnonisert.h “The- Marseillaise, •'Gulden slumbers,' '‘.The live liens ol <J-ney '* and the “American isaiUe Uyiun/' M.r L. Barnes sang "I'lw Heath of iNelson” ami “Jvule Lut.uiivia. ’ Miss ‘i’iria- TownsneiuL gave *‘i,aml ox Hope and Glory" and i-he Promise of Life/' 'iho organ soi-a * imperial March'’’ fLIgaC ana a Lanta.oa on AationaL Airs t Lorry; wore performed in masterly style by Mr Charles Kerrv. Alisses Mills and mlnards awed as accompanists. . During tUo evening .Sir Joseph Ward addressed the gathering, ami Mr Luke, in introducing The .speaker, remarked that iN’cw Zealand had a history ot • < yaars, and the country had been obliged to borrow as muen during the wav period as in the whole of fue othci ‘hi years. &ir Joseph had been financing the country in an vible manner during the great tidal, and New Zealand was fortunate in having the advantage of his proved abilities. Sir Joseph, iu addressing the audience, said the occasion was a lilting one to recall the magnificent past decals of the British Navy, and the stupendous work which that navy was doing now. AelsonV genius \\\ bygone days meant as much to Britain as their admirals' abilities meant to them to-day. That ho possessed the foresight of a true statesman was shown by his dispatches. Self-sacrifice ami duly wore his watchwords, and he showed thcs>e qualities from the day when, the ago of twelve, he entered, the -Navy. A.c twenty he achieved the rank of / commander, and though of frail imyniquo his indomitable spirit enabled him to overcame difhculties. He was engaged in the West Indies and other parts without achieving distinction, but at thirty-five he got his supremo chance, and was appointed to iho Agamemnon. At the Battle of St. Vincent ho displayed splendid strategy, and was raised to the rank of rear-admiral. Later, at Aboukir Bay, he destroyed Jvapo--1 eon's chances in the Lgyptian campaign. The great admiral's name was chiefly associated with Trafalgar, when he saved Britain from the horrors ot invasion. His famous motto had become an unforgettable part of the iungUi.vu’in" the visit to Great Britain Mr Massey and himself, continued Sir Joseph, had visited the Cruiser Fleet and the Grand Bleat, and had been privileged 'to meet Admiral Sir David Beatty on H.M.S. Lion, shortly alter the Jutland Battle. They saw something also of the trawler licet nhich was ‘ engaged in safeguarding Britain s shores in all hours and weathers. They crossed the Channel on a. very rough Pay accompanied by four destroyej», anil later they took their departure on a r»0,C00-ilon ship with lights out, being convoyed •by war vessels all round. "Do not believe," said bir Joseph, "that shipning losses arc avoidable. • The Navy was built .for protecting the Motherland, and. not for an Finpiic war. The Navy had kept the sea in spite of undersea warfare, and had till now preserved the Umpire and the lives of New Zealanders. The controllers o. tho Admiralty were silent men, and a "Teat deal had occurred of which the people knew nothing. This was essential for the safety of operations but after the war many facts would ok known which would vindicate the nation's confidence.. The assemblage passed a resolution; “That this largo am! representative gathering ot Wellington citizens desires to record its high appreciation oi tw work of the Navy in the Groat Wav, and its absolute and entire continence in the officers and men of the Elect.