THE VICTORIA LEAGUE

Ladies' Mirror, Volume I, Issue 4, 2 October 1922, Page 6

THE VICTORIA LEAGUE

TEIE Victoria League, with headquarters in London, was founded shortly after

Unification of Empire

Auckland Activities

the demise of Victoria the Good, to commemorate the consolidation of the Empire which was accomplished mainly during the

reign of that beloved monarch, and to promote a closer union, and consequently a better understanding between the Mother Country and her Overseas Dominions, by spreading among her widely sundered peoples a more intimate knowledge of each other than they formerly possessed. With unswerving devotion to the Throne, and a passionate attachment to the Institutions and ideals of British citizenship, the League knows no political parties, but is equally interested in all the citizens of the Empire, no matter what their opinions may be. The Auckland Branch of the Victoria League was incorporated early in November, 1910, at a largely-attended meeting held in St. Mary’s Hall, Parnell, presided over by Mr. White Thomson. Miss Mowbray, who had recently returned from a visit to the Old Country, where she came into close touch with the working of the parent League, addressed the meeting on its constitution and objects, and it was unanimously decided to form a branch in Auck-

land. The late Dr. Hope Lewis was elected the first president, Mrs. Carr Rollett hoh. secretary, and Miss Mowbray bon. treasurer. The newly formed branch devoted itself energetically to the distribution of information about the Empire, and to the assistance with advice and hospitality to Britons from all parts of the Empire visiting the United Kingdom and Overseas Dominions; to the despatching of books and magazines to settiers in isolated districts in New Zealand; to the care of graves of soldiers and others who had rendered service to the Empire, and to the fostering of an Imperial spirit among the youth of the Dominion by the establishment of Children’s Libraries.

HP HE Government was approached with -L reference to the restoration of soldiers’ graves in the Symonds Street and other cemeteries, and as to the erection of a monument te the memory of those who fell monument to the memory of those who fell in the New Zealand wars.

As a result, Miss E. M. Statham was appointed as officer in charge of soldiers’ and sailors’ graves. A sum of £IOOO was voted towards the monument, which, after many delays caused by the Great War, was

eventually erected in Symonds Street at a cost of ove? £2OOO, and handed over to the City of Auckland by the Victoria League free of debt. Whilst the European War lasted, the work of the Auckland Branch naturally consisted of helping our country’s cause in those spheres where the energy of its members would be most usefully employed —in Red Cross work. It was the first organised body in New Zealand to engage in this work, and it carried on this activity for a very considerable time before other bodies were organised for the purpose. The Red Cross Committee of the League, a large and devoted body of workers under the presidency of Mrs. Hope Lewis, and later under that of Mrs. J. L. R. Bloomfield, worked incessantly during the struggle, making and despatching some 105,000 garments and 11,000 bandages, besides collecting the sum of £6500 for the relief of war suffering, This large sum was distributed amongst various organisations. Thus to the British Red Cross was sent £2414, sheepskin coats for the soldiers were provided at a cost of £4OO, and St. Dunstan’s Hospital for Blind Soldiers received £SOO. Other hospitals received various amounts, and, besides providing a motor ambulance for France at a cost of £450, invalid tricycles, wheeled chairs and many other comforts for soldiers were purchased. The first, work of the Hospitality Commitee was to provide 200 homes for a month

for the members of the Sheffield Choir when that body visited New Zealand, and this Committee from time to time has had the pleasure and privilege of entertaining many visitors from overseas. For about ten years the Victoria League Book Committee has sent books to settlers in the back-blocks of New Zealand and to the Cook, Pitcairn and Niue Islands, and under the direction of Mrs. J. Finn still carries on this work in co-operation with the Mayoress’s War Memorial Library Committee. Last year Mrs. Finn and her assistants despatched 500 books and 700 magazines, and the fact that this work is highly appreciated is evidenced by the numerous letters of thanks and appreciation which have been received from the recipients. Miss Holland, as hon. secretary to the Children’s Correspondence Committee, has linked up some 1000 New Zealand children in correspondence with others throughout the Empire, and many warm friendships have been formed thereby. Each Anzac Day and Armistice Day wreaths are placed upon soldiers’ and sailors’ graves in Waikumete and O’Neill Point cemeteries by the Graves Committee. Under the direction of Mr. F. Carr Rollett, the Advice to Settlers’ Committee renders valuable assistance by giving practical information to new arrivals, and, although the chief purpose of this committee’s work is to assist those who wish to go on the land or to learn farming, it has been

instrumental in finding positions for many of those who were seeking other vocations. Judging by the number of letters received from India, Canada, South Africa and other countries where the Victoria League has branches, it is evident that New Zealand has an enviable reputation in these countries, and that very little inducement would be needed to bring many desirable immigrants to its shores. At the request of this Committee, the Government Immigration Department has been kind enough to forward a considerable amount of literature overseas, and the Labour Bureau has also rendered valuable assistance, It is gratifying to find that in most cases people arriving in New Zealand with letters of introduction from the Victoria League are cheerful and full of confidence for the future. Undoubtedly, New Zealand has been enriched by these additions to its population, After the termination of the war, the Red Cross Committee handed to the Auckland Provincial Patriotic and War Relief Association the balance of its fund, approximating £3500, and has resolved itself into an Ever-ready Committee, assisting in all charitable works in the city, Upon the death of the late Dr. Hope Lewis, Dr. R. Bedford became president, and was succeeded by Mr. W, J. Napier, who acted as delegate of the Auckland Branch at the Annual Meeting in London in 1921. The presidential chair is now occupied by Mr. W. Lind Mitchell.