WHY PEOPLE SUPPORT THE LIFE-BOATS The principal reason why people support the Royal National Life-boat Institution is that it saves lives irrespective of nationality, colour or creed. The second most important reason is that the R.N.L.I, provides an efficient, effective service. These findings emerge from a rather unusual form of market research conducted earlier this year.

At the last International Boat Show held in London a competition was staged, those buying tickets being invited to place in order of preference seven reasons for supporting the R.N.L.I. The winning entries were those which corresponded most closely with an order of preference chosen in advance by the R.N.L.I.'s Central Appeals Committee. The following table shows competitors' first choices. The figures in brackets show the order of preference of the C.A.C.

1—Saves lives irrespective of nationality, colour or creed . . . . . . 46% (1) 2-Provides an efficient, effective service 23% (2) 3—Applies the principle of 'greater love hath no man . . .' . . . . 11 % (4) 4-Is not dependent on the State .. 6% (6) 5-Has volunteer crews 6% (3) 6-Upholds the traditions of a seafaring nation 5% (5) 7-Makes no charge for rescue.. .. 3% (7) These figures are based on 4,000 completed entries. The R.N.L.I, now considers it may have split the vote by including both items 4 and 5, and probably a truer picture would have been gained had these been combined. The market research was carried out at no cost to the R.N.L.I., for the competitors all paid to enter.

1974 THE YEAR 1974 will be rather special for the R.N.L.I, as it will commemorate 150 years of rescuing people in danger around the coasts of Great Britain and Ireland.

A small working group has been set up at Life-boat House to plan and co-ordinate the programme of events for 1974. Commander E. F. Pritchard, 42 Grosvenor Gardens, London, S.W.I, is the secretary of this working group and welcomes any suggestions or ideas that can be used on a national basis as part of this special programme.

Miss Lynex Under the silver badge awards on page 55 of the April Journal, Miss L. E. Lynes, of Bournemouth, should have read Miss L. E.

Lynex..