SEA TRAINING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 10, 12 January 1934, Page 3

SEA TRAINING.

NEW ZEALAND BOYS. STATE ACTION URGED. MARINERS' SUGGESTIONS. The statement that Captain H. Taprell Dorling, D.5.0., R.N. ("Taffrail"), had come to the Dominion to write for "The Times" an account of the training scheme for mercantile marine cadets has caused many inquiries to be made, especially by parents in Wellington, as to whether there is any opportunity for New Zealand boys to get the benefit of such sea training (says the "Evening Post"). The boys being trained in the New Zealand Shipping Company's Cornwall are English boys. In reply to questions asked on this subject, Captain S. Holm, chairman of the New Zealand Company of Master Mariners, stated that the company had been active in trying to find an avenue for sea training for New Zealand boys. Some three years ago the company offered the Government two vessels to be utilised a« training ships. The vessels had been offered to the company, but the company had no meane of financing the project* The company considered this question to be one of national importance. Subsequently, the company placed the following proposals before the Government: (1) That the Government consider carrying- boys in the Government steamers Matai and Maui Pomare. (2) That the overseas shipping companies who trade exclusively with this Dominion be approached to carry a percentage of New Zealand boys in their ships. (3) That the question of boys being carried on New Zealand ships be looked Into by calling a conference of the interested parties. (4) That the question of applying tie Flock House funds towards the placing of boys at sea be looked into. "A Sea-minded People." The company also stated in its letter to the Government: "We respectfully wish to point out that next to the primary industries of this country its maritime industry must necessarily be of greatest importance, and in a country such as ours, in which no part of it is more than sixty miles from the sea coast, it is to be expected that its inhabitants are a sea-minded people, yet in no other country in the world ie the door so effectively barred towards the natural desire of its youth to follow the sea as a calling, as 'in New Zealand. "We would therefore respectfully ask you ■to give this matter the consideration which we think it merits, and we feel sure that the removal of this barrier will not only help to eolve the present problem, but will be of benefit to the country in the future." The suggestions of the company were forwarded by the Government to the Parliamentary Committee appointed to report on the question of boy employment. Captain Holm stated that so far as the Company of Master Mariners knew, no steps had been taken to carry out the suggestions made.