CHRISTMAS APPEAL

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 147, 19 December 1933, Page 3

CHRISTMAS APPEAL

SEAMEN'S SOCIAL CLUB

An organisation known as the Seamen's Sports and Social Club has recently been formed in Wellington. Its objects aro to provide healthy recreation and congenial surroundings for unemployed seamen. It is managed by men whose services are rendered free, the committee being composed entirely of unemployed seamen. So far the progress made has been fairly ' good, and a furnished hall has been obtained in which games and pastimes are conducted. The club is entirely nonpolitical, and political propaganda is forbidden.

"We are vow ncaring Chiistmas, and times are hard for the unemployed seamen, many of whom are homeless," said the secretary, Mr. W. MeNicholas, to a "Post" reporter. "It is our ob: jeet to do our best to make this Christ-1 mas a happy one for those who are in unfortunate positions, and we appeal for support; either in money or kind, from those who can afford it. We arc well aware that times are hard,, and thero aro few who have not suffered through the depression, bttt the spirit of Christmas makes us all generous aud in the past there- are few who havo been more generous than the seamen. Wo intend to have a Christmas tree for the children of our unemployed 'members, and a social on Christmas Day for those who have no place to. go or no means to celebrate. It is an unusual thing for the seamen to appeal for assistance, but a casual ' stroll around the wharves will demonstrate how much we are in need. It was our ob;joct ; in the beginning to make all our schemes self-supporting, but the amount of unemployment among our members makes this, impossible at. present. Tho soamen have always rendered invaluable scr.vie© to the wholo community, and now tho depression has hit us we trust our appeal will meet the response it deserves." ■

The clubroom is at 12 Victoria Street, mid inspection is invited. Two enjoyable and largely attended concerts wore held recently, ono in the De- Luxe Theatre on Sunday night, and tho other at tho Trades Hall last evening.