NAUTICAL EDUCATION

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7978, 8 December 1911, Page 6

NAUTICAL EDUCATION

NAVY LEAGUE CONFERENCE IK

LONDON,

An important conference on tho subject of technical education in seamanship, convened by the Navy League, was held recently in London, Alderman Geoffrey Drage, L.C.C., presided. The authorities represented included fifteen county councils, twenty urban district councils, thirty-six education committees, twenty of the largest shipping companies and. associations, training institutions,‘arid a large number of tho Navy League branches. On the dais were the Duke of Somerset, Admiral Sir E. U. Premantle, and other well-known public men. ~ ~ . , Tho chairman said it was recognised that in the next great naval war, one of the big problems they would have to face would bo the conversion of merchant ships into warships on tho high seas. Those who knew tho mercantile marine could tell them how many of its men were strangers to discipline, let alone knowing how to take part in warlike operations. Therefore, they would nave the merchant shipping laid up, and unable to take tho sea. Every local author-, ity could send boys to one or other of the existing training institutions, and he asked why more poor-lav,- boys were not given the chance, to go to sea, when they were so anxious to get there. An opinion existed abroad that these hoys were rather decadent. There was not the slightest ground for any such Opinion, for our poor-law boys were just as energetic, as plucky, as full of enterprise, and as keen on cricket and football as-any other class. (Hear, hear.) Mr H. Concannon, of the White Star Line declared that if the mercantile marine was to train boys they must have assistance from the Government. Unless something was done shipping must suffer and suffer very quickly. If tech, rionl education was worth anything at all it should be applied to the greatest of our national industries—the manning efficiently of our mercantile marine. Admiral Fremantle, who was araon;; other speakers, said it was absolute!'; necessary that the increasing number of foreigners in the merchant service should at once be put a stop to. The State must look upon it as a national matter, jmd must not leave it to take, its chance.