DEBT TO SEAMEN

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 147, 18 December 1924, Page 11

DEBT TO SEAMEN

HOW IT IS BEING REPAID

SHEEP OWNERS AND FLOCK HOUSE

PEOPOSAL TO EXTEND FJJND,

The annual, meeting of the Board of Trustees of the New Zealand Sheep Own-. ers' Acknowledgment of Debt to British Seamen Fund was held in the Accountants' Chambers yesterday afternoon. The chairman (the Hon. E. New-< man) presided, and the other trustees present were Messrs. T. E. Lees (managing trustee), 0. S. Watkins, C. M. Luke, L. O. H. Tripp, Alex. Macintosh, G. L. Marshall, and M. Bethell.

In moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, the chairman referred with extreme regret to the death of Sir Walter Buchanan, one of the pioneers of the fund, who had taken the keenest interest in the work, and was most highly respected in every circle. New Zealand suffered a great loss in him. The chairman also referred to the sad loss of a boy, L. F. Johnson, at Flock House through drowning. It was a case of pure accident, and arrangements had been made for all possible provision for life-saving. They very much regretted the occurrence.

TRAINING OF BRITISH BOYS.

The chairman then congratulated the board on the purchase of the Fleck House estate, which, he considered, was the best property that could have been obtained if they/ had searched all New Zealand. The place was ideal for the purpose, and the trustees had been fortunate in securing it at the price they did before the rise in land values through the era of high prices for produce. The system of relief from the fund was explained by the chairman, and the process by which they had managed to secure publicity for the scheme for training the sons of seamen. The speaker paid a tribute to the assistance given by the. High Commissioner and. his staff. The Press of England had'given their approval to the scheme, and done their best to further its objects.

EXTENDING THE SCOPE. . -..' Before very long it would be necessary, the chairman said, to extend the scope of the fund. The losses in tha Navy were 33,361 killed and 6405 injured or wounded, and in the Merchant Service 14,661, a. total of 54,427 killed and injured. Many of these were single, so it was not easy to get suitable boys of the right age to com© to New Zealand. He thought they would have to widen it to include all those -who served.at sea during the war. Tha aons of the men who served and survived were entitled to assistance; He-believed that long before the fund came to an. el ld r , tl! ey would be taking the dependant* of ■British sailors generally in casea of need. It was impossible to say how, long the fund would last, but if -wool prices kept up, it would last a long time, for the income from Flock House might be considerable. Fifty years henc» the trustees would find Flock House a very valuable property, indeed, and not the least valuable, the plantation* of trees there. Personally, he could not see the end of the fund,.which had been subscribed by about 3000 wool growew, out of about 23,000 to -whom circulaM were sent Wool had been at an unprecedented price, and he would Uk» to appeal to those wool grower* of Nevr Zealand who had not already dona so to support the fund. Such support was not now in the nature of giving a blank cheque. He asked for support because there was such a vast work to do ainone the sailors at Home. H« hoped the wool growers would assist. He suggested some wealthy woolgrower might give a chapel for Flock House, and a gylnnasmm and recreation hall was wanted too, for it was a difficulty to know what to do with the boys in wet weather. Ihe chairman added that 24 out of the first contingent of 25 boys had gone out into private employment with subscribers to the fund, under excellent conditions where the boys woulH have every opportunity of: learning' farming. ■ SUEPLUS PROFITS. Mr. Lees suggested applying to th« Ltovernment for the balance of surplus profits from the disposal of New Zealand wool under the commanded amounting to £20,000, to be granted to the fund. Mr O. S. Watkins urged that the appeal to sheep owners should be made with a concrete proposal to widen the' scope of the fund to apply to girls as well as boys, the daughters as. well as tlie sons of seamen. Mr Tripp- agreed that such a policy would assist in retaining a balance between the sexes. At present the number.'! of male immigrants greatly exceeded those of the female. . The chairman said that the present nse in ,wool would just about balance the tosses during the slump and place the shoep farmer where he was before the sliunp took place. . The report and balance-sheet were adopted unanimously. It was decided to set up a committee to approach farmers' associations with a view of their support in applying to tlie Government for a grant of the surplus wool profits. WIDOWS AND DAUGHTERS. Mr. Lees moved: "That this meeting of contributors approves the inauguration of a scheme by which widowed mothers and listers of boys under training in New Zealand may be brought to New Zealawd and trained in farming and domestic pursuits, and instructs the executive committee to develop such a scheme and report to the board." This was carried unanimously. . The Hon. E. Newman was re-elected chairman for the ensuing year.