KING GEORGE'S FUND FOR SAILORS.

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 22, 20 October 1917, Page 9

KING GEORGE'S FUND FOR SAILORS.

APPEAL BY "THE DUKE'OF CONNAUGHT. . .

J.We are asked to publish the at- .. tached appeal by H.R.H. the Duke • of .Connaught, on. bshalf of King ' George's Fund for Sailors.]

"The great marine~ charities of this coinltry (states the appeal), have through long years rendered continuous and much-needed service to" the seafaring: ■members of the community.- Owing to to the stress of war, heavy calls have . been - made upon their resources, and these are likely to increase rattier than diminish. In the wide field of their combined activities these charities minister ■to the manifold needs of the sailor, while helping to lessen his anxieties-for the dear oaes at home. The institutions include seamen'6'hospitals, hostels, orphanages, training, schools, and ships, pen-, sion'and : de'slitufe-'funds'.' , ' Their .benefits are extended to the men of the Royal Natjr and its auxiliaries, the Royal Marines, the merchant service; the minesweepers, and fishermen, arid to all who go.down to.flie sea in ships.' "To meet the needs for the fuller and more sustained support Kins George's Fund for Sailors has been founded. The King has graciously consented to become patron of the fund, and His Royal Highness Prince Albert has accepted the office of president, and at his request I have ■undertaken the duties o? chairman.

"At the inaugural meeting at'the Mansion House, the First Eord of the Admiralty stated: 'The Kino;, in commanding that -this fund shall he called by his name, sends us one more message of his interest in his sailor population, and his earnest prayer and desire that the' nation may liberally and splendidly respond to the appeal which is now being mode..'

"To-day, when the safety of our shores and in deed the existence of the Empire depend so largely upon the endurance and self-sacrifice of British seamen, I confidently rely upon n sympathetic and genrrnus. support .of Ihe public to our appeal, in the belief that what has been, achiev.od.in fearless action, ceaseless watching,., and. patient waiting i= not foreotten, aud that ,H>c debt oirnpd to )li» TCavy nnd'i""rcnnlilo marine will be fully and hraHily. 'lischarcted.

"On-Mbntions may lip sent to hip. nd-■Sriwn'-fn Rim; OpnnrpV'Wl for Sailors. Trinity House, London, TC.rv :t. .-'ARTHUR. ■..-■■. "Chairman."