WAR MEMORIAL: A SEAMEN'S HOSTEL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10688, 7 September 1920, Page 2

WAR MEMORIAL: A SEAMEN'S HOSTEL.

Sir,—l feel it my duty, seeing in one of your columns the other day of someone who had felt interested in a seamen's hostel being erected in this city of Wellington. I second that motion, being a bona fide seaman of ten years' standing, but now working ashore for a time, and I must say that it would be. a very suitable institution to many of the thousands of ,mon visiting this port, whero they may spend many a dull hour at theit leisure at draughts, choss, etc.; ou coming ashore instead .of not knowing really how to fill in time to a good purpose. I speak this way because 1 consider the men of the mercantile marine .won s this war just as much as our brave soldiers, who bled and fell for the whole world at large. Had it not been for th& men of the mercantile marine we could not have gained victories, as our men could not have got to the firing line without the aid of the mercantile marine, and in spite of torpedoes and mines our seamen faced ib all. Therefore, I consider that' they should be recompensed for what they have done for New Zealand and the world. Wo cannot speak too highly of the men who risked their lives for tts in so many ways'.—l am, etC " ONE WHO KNOWS.