THE DREADNOUGHT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2471, 8 April 1909, Page 6

THE DREADNOUGHT.

SCHOOL CHILDREN TO COLLECT. MEETING IN~tHE GARRISON HALL. With' the object -of interesting women and children in the scheme to help to pay towards the cost of the Dreadnought offered by the New Zealand Government to England, the Mayoress (Mrs W. D. Lysnar) presided over a public meeting in the Garrison Hall yesterday afternoon. Unfortunately only a few ladies were present, but the- hall was well filled by 'about 1000 girls from tlie Gisborne, Kaifi and Mangapapa public schools and St. Mary’s Roman Catholic School.

On the platform also were the Mayor (Mr W. D. Lysnar), the Rev. Father Lane, Messrs. Malcolm McLeod, C. A. deLautour, W. Morgan, J. Somervell and Colonel Porter, C.B. The Mayoress, in opening the proceedings, said: —“This meeting has been called in response to a request which I have received from the Secretary of a General Committee of ladies appointed at Cambridge with the object of endeavoring to get the women and girls of the whole of New Zealnd to give a small free-will offering towards the cost of a battleship which the Government of New Zealand has decided to give to the Mother Country. It is the wish of the General Committee that not more than one shilling to two shillings subscription be asked for, and that two or more children be allowed to join in donating Is; that in no case shall a larger sum be asked for, yet it may be accepted under exceptional circumstances. I would suggest that no collection be made at this meeting from any school children present, hut that their collections should be made through the masters of their schools, and sent to the local treasurer, Mr R. D. B. Robinson, Town Clerk, who has kindly consented to act, but it- may be advisable for an opportunity to be given to all those present, other than the school, children, to give a donation. I would also suggest that all the country schools should be asked to give their girls an opportunity of contributing, and that a general committee should be formed to supervise the collecting and arrange for sub-com-mittees to canvas the women and girls in the country districts. The Cambridge Committee ask that all subsections be sent forward as soon as possible, and that the subscription file be sent to the secretary of the general committee at Cambridge before the 31st of May, 1909. Before asking the ladies present to discuss the question I will ask the Mayor and the representatives of the local schools, who have been specially requested to attend, to first address the meeting.” The Mayor said he had great pleasure in seeing such a large gathering of children to mark the patriotism of the country. In a country where w-omen had the franchise it was right and prosper ■ than an interest should be taken by them in the affairs of the nation. By New Zea ‘ land showing strong patriotism to the Mothei-land by the gift of a Dreadnought the unity of the Empire was solidified; and the hands of the Government would be strengthened when it was shown that the offer of the battleship met with popular approval. It was ritr'ht for the girls and women of i\ ew Zealand to appreciate the act and to show their appreciation by contributing a mite towards the cost. If (England was always ready to meet enemies that might seek to disturb the peace of the people living in New Zealand, and to keep the control of the sea, it meant that homes and property and people were safe. All who sent a contribution would have their names recorded and it had been suggested that the subscriptions should be received at the schools, and then sent on to tlie Town C.erk, who would act as treasurer to the fund. He hoped all the girls would try and bring a small sum to help England to defend the peace of the Empire.—Applause. . - Colonel Porter said the offer ox a battleship- was to display to the outside world that the people of the Colonies were still loyal to the Motherland. As a young Dominion New Zealand must not- forget that peace was preserved by England, and battleships were necessary to preserve the peace. M as was a terrible thing, but peace could only be kept by maintaining a strong navy. Although there was no immediate danger of war it was good to show- the world that England’s younger children were not going to desert their mother. England was, still the first power in the world, and had 477 men of war, against Germany’s 269. England’s -gum powei was 271 guns, of 11 inch, 12 inch, and 13 inch calibre, Germany’s 148-. England spent £11,942,000 a year on the navy and Germany £11,222,000 a year. The United States had the navy next m power to that of Britain, with Germany close up third. It was necessary that England’s naval, power should be kept supreme. „ _ ■ , The Rev. Father Lane said it was' with great , pleasure that he accepted the invitation to be present at the meeting, and he would say the children of the Catholic schools were second to none in thenroyalty to the Throne, and their desire to. see England always mistress of the sea.' It was unfortunately true that a cloud was. hanging over'the peace, ot Europe, and it was necessary when one country increased its armaments tnatr others should do likewise. It England would maintain her position amom r nations her fighting power must also be maintained. England s power would be challenged sooner or later, but with .her colonies to help her she would not- be called upon to fight alone. I he offer of a Dreadnought was significant of the loyalty of the p.eop.e of New Zealand and showed a community _ct interest between the colonies and the Home land. He was pleased to see the women were interested in the movement, because the women of a country were its greatest asset. Tliev wielded an unmeasured influence on the affairs of time. With the loyalty of the _ men and women -of tbe nation freely given, England might well liope that her battleships would still float bravely on the deep and lier flag -wave like the stay spangled banner, over the land of the free and.the home of the brave. (Applause.) Mr C. A. deLautour said no one couirl have listened to the fine speech given by Father Lane without being moved by patriotism. The chldren were present to hear of and to support the patriotism of the New Zealand Government m giving a battleship to England. The action had been challenged as unconstitutional, but-it was perfectly constitutional, and the. members of the Government- took the responsibility of thenact. He was sure tlie women arid children of New Zealand would say it was a right thing to do. It ivasr a strong actvJbnt similar acts had frequently been done by Governments when rapid action was necessary. The magnificent offer showed the world that though distance separated New Zea- ■ land'-and England the people were all . of one nationality, and distance did not " ■" '-'YY:G:. I. . Y

break the tie. of loyalty. New Zealand and Australia depended. for safety on England’s navy and it was only by paying- a just share of the cost of tlie navy, could the people claim the right to be defended with other portions of the Empire. It was. good for- the children to know that New Zealand was ready to stand and. fall with Great Britain. Mr W. Morgan,—in a brief speech, told the children how New Zealand had helped England at the time of the Boer war, and said that as far as possible the young lion was again;prepared to help the old lion. The offer of a Dreadnought would have a' great moral effect upon tlie patrons of the world, but to know that every woman and girl was loyal to England and ready to do their share in paying the cost of the. battleship was also' something that would impress foreign, powers. Mr John Somervell also spoke on the loyalty of the people of the Colonies in supporting England and told the children, in an interesting way, what might happen if a foreign power came to- New Zealand.

Mr Malcolm McLeod said ho was glad to see tlie children interested in the gift of a battleship to England, and it was for the children to make a little sacrifice to help to pay for a big man-o’-war. England had never been conquered and it was for-tlie people to never allow their country to be conquered. The Mayoress then moved the following resolution, .which was carried with applause “As New Zealand women and girls, we, the undersigned, fully appreciate the feeling which has prompted the Government of the Dominion to defray the cost of a battleship to be placed at tlie disposal of England, our Mother Country, for the Empire. We recognise that this will possibly entail an increase in rates and taxes, etc., which will fall more directly upon the shoulders of the men; we therefore wish to place this our small, but free-will, offerin", at the disposal of tlie New Zealand Government, to be used by them in such a way as is deemed fit.” On the motion of Mrs Scott a committee, consisting of the Mayoress, Mesdames Scott, Maynard, Cox, Poiter, Somervell and Birrellj Misses Matthews, Cummings, Brown and Cousin'S, was appointed to help to collect the subset iptloTlm Rev Father Lane then moved a vote of thanks to the Mayoress for .presiding/and the motion was earned with long applause from the children. The Mayor then announced that- aiiy sum of money, however small, would he received from the children by tl e teachers or the committee, and the children were dismissed. '