NAVY LEAGUE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 March 1940, Page 8

NAVY LEAGUE

LADIES’ AUXILIARY ANNUAL MEETING ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT. INCREASE IN ACTIVITIES. The twenty-second annual general meeting of the Masterton Ladies' Auxiliary of the Navy League was held yesterday in the A. and P. Association’s Room, there being a large attendance of members. Apologies for absence were received from Mesdames Howard Jackson, H. W. Baty and Miss Guild. The report and balance sheet were adopted. The election of officers resulted: — President, Mrs A. Caselberg; vice-pre-sidents, Mesdames A. H. Daniell, R. C. Drummond, H. McKenzie Douglas, S. R. Gawith, J. V. Gordon, T. Jordan, and the Misses Cameron, Gray and B. Vallance; general executive committee, Mesdames W. H 7 Booth. R. F. R. Beetham, O. A. Bunny, W. R.- Birch, P. Borthwick, D. Buchanan, A. W. Don, Colin Deans, S. Fletcher, J. C. Forsyth, D. M. Graham, J. M. James, C. C. Jackson, W. G. Lamb. W. A. Michael, E. G. Norman, H. K, Mclntosh, P. H. Nathan, W. 11. Robieson, Everard White, and F. Whitton, and the Misses Daniell and McLaren; hon. treasurer, Miss Cameron; hon. auditor, Mr A. D. Low; secretary. Miss A. Sellar.

The remits to bo presented at a con-

ference to be held in Wellington on Friday were considered, and Mrs Caselberg and Miss Sellar were appointed delegates to represent the Masterton branch. The conference has been called at the request of his Excellency, the Governor-General, patron of the Navy League in New Zealand, to discuss means of co-ordinat-ing the war effort of the League in New Zealand.

The president. Mrs A. Caselberg. in her address said:—“lt gives me great pleasure to see so many, of our members present today. You have all seen the report and balance sheet, and I hope you will agree with me that we have had a very successful year. It is especially interesting to note the substantial increase in the school membership, due to the loyalty of the teachers. In these troubled times, there is a great deal of work to be done. We need greater and still greater activity. All services of the Army. Navy and Air Force are so very worthy, it is impossible to discriminate—each deserving much support, but our mine-sweeper’s lives are drab, dangerous, and above all, most essential for the safety of our trade routes. On receipt of a letter from the Admiralty asking for comforts for the men of the Royal Navy and other branches of sea services, we started a campaign and our first appeal for knitted garments met with a splendid response, but I want to impress on everyone that we intend to continue this work for the duration of the war.

“Through the generosity of some of cur members,” said Mrs Caselberg, “it has been possible to purchase wool to be distributed to institutions, school members and friends of the league who are willing to knit, and this work will be sent to headquarters in the near future. We are anxious to enrol new members and welcome any suggestions beneficial to the league. I am specially happy to know that some of the Navy League representatives during the Great War are rejoining us. Their experience will prove most valuable and on behalf of my committee I extend to them a warm welcome. Now I want to add a word of praise for the members of my committee, without whose co-operation 1 should be utterly lost, and also to thank all helpers for their devotion to the cause, I have just received the welcome news that we have enrolled two new life members. Miss J. McLaren and Mrs Wilder (Hawke’s Bay). We want to express our sincere thanks to these ladies for their interest, and I handsome subscriptions. In conclusion, I-sincerely hope that we will meet at our next annual meeting under happier conditions.” The resignation of Mrs H. W. Baty as a member of the committee was accepted with regret. The meeting closed with votes of thanks to Mr A. D. Low, for auditing the books, Mr J. V. Gordon for receiving subscriptions. Mr R. H. Williams for much help and to the Press. Gifts of wool have been gratefully received and the sum of £l3 J2s has been received in donations since last meeting, bringing the wool fund up to £2O 12s. Some of this money has already been spent on wool to supply school members and friends of the League who have kindly offered to knit.