BRITISH SAILORS’ SOCIETY

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12330, 28 December 1925, Page 6

BRITISH SAILORS’ SOCIETY

BROTHERHOOD OF THE SEA CHANGE OF NAME APPROVED ALL SAILORS MADE WELCOME The society hitherto known as the British and Foreign Sailors’ Society has recently altered its name, and in the last number of the "Chart and Compass,” the official organ of the society just to hand, the authorities announce: “The change in the society’s name is now an accomplished fact, the legal requirements having been duly complied with.” The society will henceforth be known as - The British Sailors’ Society (at Home and abroad); though the eecondary part of the title will he used on formal and official matters only. The general secretary in London has received a few letters expressing regret at the change, but with these exceptions all those—and they are many—who have written have warmly approved and commended the new title. The secretary for forty years, Rev. E. W. Mathews, lips sent his congratulations and approval, and this will be an encouragement to those of the older friends of the society who regret the necessity for changing the name. The new name will it is hoped tend to clear away certain- misconceptions which have arisen about the former name, one of which has been that the society iS not an entirely British society. hut one which is directed and controlled by an international group of philanthropists interested in the well being ’of st amen. The society is entirely British in origin, and has for 107 years continued as a British organisation, and is British torday. It has subscribers in many foreign countries who are glad to ! recognise that; no genuine sailor in distress of wliatevei nation is refused such service as can be rendered him—in the same senes that no general hospital shuts its doors in the faoo of a foreigner who has bad a serious' accident; nor does the lifeboat refuse to go out into the storm, to save life if the ship in danger is not railing under the. British flag.. CHERISHED BRITISH TRADITION It is one of the most cherished traditions of Britishers that a person ’o distress of whatever country is a person to he helped. The society intends to maintain its own tradition of rendering ready service to seamen throughout the world, though it also wishes to emphasise its primary purpose, as a British society, is that of ministering to the spiritual and material needs of British seamen both in Home and foreign ports. We readily recognise and appreciate the fact that many of the nations with a mercanti'e marine service do provide for the needs • of, their corn seafaring -men, arid that when circumstances call for their help to sailors of other nations it is readily given, and many British sailo. have benefited thereby. Ab a British society it will do what it can in return to help when and where it can he of service. There is, a brotherhood erf the pea that extends world-wide, and there is a need fox- - service of the highest kind, and as far as conditions permit it does what it can.

The society appeals to all its friends for their continued support and interest, and hopes that the response will be such that tjie work which the society has carried on for 107 years so successfully may not only be maintained but improved and extended under the new name.