MASTER MARINERS

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 48, 25 August 1930, Page 3

MASTER MARINERS

NEW ZEALAND COMPANY

A SUCCESSFUL DINNER

The annual dinner of the New Zealand Company of Master Mariners wai held om Saturday evening, the president, S!ir Charles Statham (Speaker of the House of Representatives) presiding. Among the guests were His Excellency the Governor-General (Lord Bledisloe), Sir Walter Cameross (Speaker of the Legislative Council), Hon. W. A. Veitch (Minister of Railways), Dr. T. H. Sprott (Anglican Bishop of Wellington), and Captain J. S. G. leaser, D.5.0., B.N. (second naval member of the New Zealand Naval Board). Apologies were received from the Prime Minister (the Hon. G. W. Forbes), the Minister of Marine (th» Hon. J. B. Donald), and the Bight Hon. Sir Francis Bell.

Sir Charles Statham proposed the toast of "The Patron" (the GoverhorGeneral), and in doing so quoted the following rale of the company: "To foster and maintain' that robust spirit of loyalty to-the Crown and Person of the Sovereign which has always been an inherent trait of the British master mariner." The president said that h<r felt sure that the embodiment of such sentiments was truly a reflex of th» ideals actuating the members of th* company. There could be no misgiving' as to what the New Zealand Company of Master Mariners would in due time accomplish in the interests of the ancient profession of which they were the present day representatives. . Replying, His Excellency emphasised the important position occupied by, master mariners in the national interests and welfare of the British Empire. He expressed the great pleasure he had in being associated with the company that Eight. The president proposed the toast of the "Master of the Merchant Navy, H.E.H. Prince of Wales." The toast, was honoured with ;the singing of "God Bless the Prince of Wales."

The toast of the "Merchant Navy" was proposed by tho Governor-General, who said that none realised the value of the merchant navy better than himself when he, together with President Hoover (then Mr. Hoover), controlled food supplies. Replies were made by Captain Coll Macdonald, Captain S. Holm, and Captain R. E. Hugo. Captain Macdonald referred to the responsible position that master mariners held, Captain Holm spoke of the part played by the humble cargo vessel, and Captain Hugo related anecdotes of tho days of sail. Captain C. MaeArthur proposed the toast of "Parliament." '

In reply, the Hon. W. A, Veiteh spoke in glowing and sincere terms of the loyalty of New Zealand to tli« Mother Country, and the influence for good that the British Empire had oh the world to-day. Eeply was also made by Sir Walter Carneross.

The toast of "Other Guests" was, proposed by Captain Hewitt, and re^ plied to by Bishop Sprott and Captain Frasev.

Captain Stuart proposed the toast of "The President." During the evening, "Shipmates of. Mine," "Rio Grande," "According to the Act," and other sea chantie* wove sung. A recitation, was given bjr Captain Peterson, and f Anld l/nug •Syne." and the I\ raf)ional Anthem li'ruughf t.he proceedings" to-ft Mose.