ENGINEERS' PART

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 121, 18 November 1940, Page 11

ENGINEERS' PART

LAND, SEA, AND AIR

WINNING OF THE WAR

Members of the New Zealand Institute of Marine and Power Engineers and a number of their guests met in a convivial atmosphere on Saturday night for their annual social gathering. Mr. J. Carswell, who presided in the unavoidable absence of the president (Mr. E. E. Low), remarked that the gathering was an event that they all looked forward to in the present days of stress and strain. For a brief space they wanted to forget about the war and all its implications. Nevertheless, the keynote of most of the speeches was the spirit of engineers in facing the % trials of their calling under wartime conditions and their determination to play their part worthily in the Empire's cause. Among those present was Mr. W. G. Lodder, former chief engineer of the Gear Meat Preserving Company, and one of the pioneer engineers in the freezing industry of New Zealand. Mr. V. G. Boivin, who proposed "The Engineering Industry," stressed the importance of engineers in both peace and war, and said that any nation which neglecied its engineering industry was likely to lose its freedom. Replying, Mr. A. C. Mitchell said that so far the war had been an engineer's war, and he prophesied that it would be an engineer's war to the end. They could have nothing but admiration for those who devised measures and counter-measures to prosecute the war. Engineers had helped to make possible the magnificent deeds of the Royal Air Force. Mr. D. J. Jamieson also replied to the toast and paid tribute to the pioneers in the industry, "the old men who taught us." HEROIC WORK AT DUNKIRK, Proposing the toast, "The Shipping Industry," Mr. W. Sommerville traced the history of the industry in New Zealand and emphasised the Empire's dependence on shipping and those who manned the ships. He referred with pride to the heroic work of volunteer engine-room officers during the evacuation of Dunkirk. : In reply, Captain S. Holm said that history showed that every great nation had had a mercantile marine. He deplored the fact that there was not more official and public encouragement of boys to take up a seafaring career, and urged those present to foster a greater interest in this vital aspect of the Dominion's existence. Dr. O. C. Mazengarb, who proposed "The Institute and the Merchant Ser- [ vice Guild," said that seamen had • always enjoyed special privileges in the sight of the law because the men of the land regarded very highly the work of the men of the sea. He sugI gested that it was time more o% the spirit of the old song, "Sons of the Sea," was revived. Replying, Captain F. A. Macindoe said that war conditions had brought the institute and the guild closer together in the provision now made for compensation for loss of belongings or personal injury. There was also "detention money" on a liberal scale for of war. He spoke highly of the Overseas Seamen's Gift Committee and its activities. Mr. Hall also j replied to the toast. "Past Presidents" was proposed by the chairman and replied to by Mr. Neilson. . A gold emblem of the institute was accepted on behalf of Mr. E. E. Low, ' and another was presented to Mr. J. L. Morgan. Artists who contributed to an enjoyable programme were Messrs. E. Dean, JD. Hopa, J. Wilkinson, A. Edwards, R. Mathieson, Harison Cook, and B. West- | head.