A TRAINING SHIP FOR SEW ZEALAND.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 146, 21 June 1901, Page 2

A TRAINING SHIP FOR SEW ZEALAND.

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —The veracious historian has stated that George 111. was greatly puzzled to know how ' the apples got into the dumpling-. Like that eccentric monarch, I am puzzled, but not over the apples and the dumpling. My perplexity arises over the disinclination of New Zealand Governments, of all shades of colour, ignoring the expressed wishes of public opinion in favour of the establishing a training ship in New Zealand waters. Your own paper, sir, as well as almost every pa-per throughout New Zealand, has warmly approved of the project Two select committees of the Legislature (one in 1884 and one in 1899), after going exhaustively into details of the question, unanimously recommended the proposal. Far-seeing politician:?, like the late James Mac Andrew and John Sheehan, were entnusiastic over the matter; practical men of business, like the Hons. G. Maclean and Montgomery, Messrs Hanson, J. J. Craig, and Malcolm Niccol —all of whom have a special knowledge of the subject— expressed opinions before the select committees, pointing out the advantages and opportunities which would be secured to our boys by the establishing of a properly-governed training ship. The New Zealand Natives' Associations throughout the colony have passed unanimous resolutions, generously supporting my efforts when Chairman of the Training Ship Committee of 1399.

Yet, sir, notwithstanding all the expressions of public men, public bodies, and time, enthusiasm and expense, no desire is showq by "those who have the power to establish a training ship. It cannot be on the score of expense, for I have been assured by one high in His Majesty's Navy that there would not be any great difficulty in oiir Government getting one of the obsolete war vessels from the Home authorities as a gift to New Zealand. I pointed out last session that owing to the immense seaboard we had we were destined to become a maritime people; and that the opportunities in after life for those properly trained in seafaring pursuits were bright. Let me instance, in passing, the fisheries industry; there is any amount of wealth in our seas; the great steam and sailing fleet that is now in this colony, and which must necessarily become greater as our population increases and our resources are developed. I have been induced* to write the foregoing owing to a paragraph appearing recently in an Auckland paper t 0 the effect that seven boys from the Burnham Industrial School had been shipped on vessels trading, out of this colony for the purpose of being trained as sailors. In my opinion, these youngsters would receive better treatment and consideration on a training ship of our own than that accorded by strangers.

In conclusion, sir, I would ask you to publish the following letter sent by Captain Mason, who has produced marvellous results on the Sobraon. Major Loveday has kindjy forwarded it to me to use as I think proper.—I am, etc.

WM. T. JENNINGS. [Copy.]

Nautical Ship Sobraon, %dney, N.S.W. Major Loveday, Wellington, N.Z., Many thanks for "Hansard" containing such an interesting account of your Council's debate upon the training ship project. Whenever you can have a talk with that level-headed member, the Hon. Jennings, M.L.C., do not fail to impress upon him that he could not render the rising generation of his fellow - colonists a far more reaching and permanent benefit than by bringing about the inauguration of a training ship for youngsters such, as

I deal with. All members of our community benefit by catching and curing the budding criminal young. Let him make no mistake about a ship, when the supervision is thorough, being far preferable to even a semi-marine shore institution. There need be no jealousy about where the ship is anchored; that should be Wellington, which holds the seat of Government; but the most essential adjunct (which I have for years fought for here, and not yet got), "viz., a small square-rigged brig" or schooner, would regularly visit all your fine ports in turn. Let me have reasonable freedom in framing and starting your system, and I will not only guarantee its success by promise, but I will lodge £1000, to be forfeited towards expense incurred, if I fail at the end of. say. three years to satisfy an impartially constructed committee. I have not spent 25 years in daily hard work, living for but one objectthat of elevating the condition applying to neglected youngsters—without knowing my subject thoroughly. I like the'work", and know its value. If your people, after satisfying them/selves of my ability to help them, care to avail themselves of my services, I am not only willing to serve them, but, as I stated before, will, as far as my limited means permit, give tangible evidence of my confidence in my undertaking. " W. H. MASON.