"GIRDLING THE PORTS OF THE WORLD."

Evening Post, Volume LXXIII, Issue 30, 5 February 1907, Page 7

"GIRDLING THE PORTS OF THE WORLD."

THE MISSIONS TO SEAMEN. A TALK WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT. The Rev. G. F. Wilson, M.A., General Superintendent of tho Missions to Seamen, who is paying what ho calls an all-too-short visit to Now Zealand, spared a few minutes of his busy time yesterday morning to give a brief <ccount of his work to a Post reporter. Mr. Wilson, whose headquarters are in London, has come out to Australia not only to inspect the missions already established in Sydney, Mclbourno, Wellington and Auckland, but to visit colonial seaports at which it has been urged other missions should be established. Whilst on tour Mr. Wilson is also conferring with tho colonial Governors, bishops, and others interested in the extension of work amongst seamen. There are already over 200 < chaplains and lady workers engaged in mission work throughout the world, and the operations are not confined to the inner and outer ports of the British Empire, but within Continental and American ports as well. "We adapt ourselves," said the superintendent, "to tho wants of each port, and the whole idea of tho mission is to form so many links between sailors and their homes and wherever their duty takes them. We seek to girdle the ports of tho world with links of brotherly kindness. ' For tho carrying on oi" this work to-day there are 120 different buildings, and a fleet of 70 or 80 steamboats, motorboats, and other craft for visiting shipping and lighthouses^for tho mission penetrates its influence for good even to the lonely lighthousemen. Speaking of the buildings in use, Mr. Wilson j said none were more effective for their | work nor more attractive in appearance than that which has been provided in Wellington, and the executive in London keenly appreciated all the practical j kindness and ready sympathy that had beon shown to seamen, to tho mission, | and to the missioner in Wellington. \ Such an institution here, he felt as- i sured, must have a brightening influence upon the seamen. The superintendent grew enthusiastic regarding Wellington, its scenery, its surroundings, and i its people. He thought the port attractive and tho harbour beautiful. Concerning the management of the j Missions to Seameii, Mr. Wilson said the King was patron and the Prince of Wales vice-patron, and, for the fiftieth anniversary of the mission, celebrated the other day, the King and the Prince sent contributions of 50 guineas and 26 guineas respectively, and the heartiest good wishes for future development. Sir F. Buxton (ex-Governor of South" Australia) was Chairman of the General Committee, and Admiral tho Hon. Sir Edmund Fremantle, Chairman of the Finance Committee, and it was these committees which made the grants towards the stipends for the mission's workers. Mr. Wilson added that he would like tho colonial people to know that tho money subscribed in colonial ports was used for the development of the mission in that particular place. Wellington subscriptions, for instance, wcro not used for work in Calcutta. Lord Ranfurly, ex-Governor of New Zealand, was greatly interested in the work of the mission, and the Archbishop of Canterbury specially sent by Mr. Wilson a message of thanks to New* Zealandcrs and Australians for tho practical sympathy shown towards the Missions to Seamen. Mr. Wilson will leave for Auckland on Wednesday, and from there returns to Australia, being due in London again in August. Questioned concerning further development of the mission in New Zealand ports, the superintendent said it was possible that another branch might be established at no distant date. It was also probable that missions would shortly be established in Adelaide and Fremahtle.