MASTER MARINERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22356, 1 September 1934, Page 3

MASTER MARINERS

NEW ZEALAND COMPANY * DUNEDIN SECTION DINNER. On Saturday evening last an informal dinner was held by the Dunedin section of the New Zealand Company of Master Mariners. Among the guests present were Sir Hubert Wilkins, Mr E. C. Hazlett, Captain Johanson, of the Bear of Oakland, and Captain Webb, of the Canadian Constructor. After the loyal toaster had been honoured, the toast of “ Antarctic Expeditions," proposed by Captain Sunstrum, was replied to by Sir Hubert Wilkins, who, in referring to the work now being entered upon paid a gracious tribute to former explorers in the Antarctic regions, especially to the late Captain Robert Falcon Scott, whose expeditions, Sir Hubert Wilkins stated, had given to the world more scientific data than any other. After briefly outlining some of the prominent points of the work to be undertaken in the immediate future, the speaker remarked on the helpfulness of the Otago Harbour Board, and the kindness and assistance rendered to himself and others engaged in Antarctic exploration by the people of Dunedin. The port, he considered was undoubtedly the most suitable and convenient for all Antarctic expeditions. The toast of “ The New Zealand Company of Master Mariners ” was proposed by Mr E. C. Hazlett, who stated that to him it was always a mystery why the master mariner received such slight recognition in a community whose very existence to a great extent depended upon his work and services. Whereas many men controlling large staffs or in charge of important institutions were well represented and appreciated in public life, and rightly so, the master mariner to his mind did not come into the consideration of the national life to the extent to which he was entitled. In respect, however, to an organisation of which he had the honour to be chairman, the Shipwreck Relief Society of New Zealand, they had ‘ now no fewer than four master mariners upon the committee.

Captain Coll M'Donald, responding, said that he felt he must use the word "merchant navy” which had done so much for the spread of- civilisation and the opening out of international trade to the benefit of the human race. It was true that the merchant navy of 500 years ago differed very much from the merchant navy of the present day. All the same, the tradition of the merchant navy is as strong to-day as it was 500 years ago. That was more than proved to those who understood the great work the merchant navy had done during the last year of the Great War. That was the hour of danger when the merchant navy came forth with the old tradition of doing by deed and not words. Those who were responsible for the welfare of the British Isles recognised the value of the merchant navy to the Empire during the war, and for that reason his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, with the King’s commendation, has placed himself as a master mariner at the head of the merchant The Company of Master Mariners did not organise their company for self gain, nor did they wish to worry shipowners or Governments, but they did wish to keep their standard and knowledge up to date, and the only way they could do eo was to have good fellowship among themselves for the purpose of discussing all matters pertaining to the merchant navy. With such an end in view they felt that they should have the support of the Government as well as of tho shipping companies. A conference once or twice a year, said the speaker, should be held between senior members of tho master mariners and the Royal Navy to discuss practical matters of mutual interest, for as the Prince of Wales said at the last gathering of master mariners in London —“ singing of ‘ Rule Britannia’ will not carry us very far in time of trouble.” New Zealand was one of the. outposts of the Empire depending on the merchant navy for its trade with the outside world. They should therefore see, as intelligent people, that the merchant navy gets the attention it deserves for their needs in the future. The merchant navy had always earned its place in world affairs in the past and would do so again for the reason that civilisation could not exist without it.

Captain King proposed the toast of “ Onr Guests,” and Mr A. Thomas, in reply, said that it was largely instrumental to a master mariner, Captain Moffat, that “Poppy Day” was inaugurated in New Zealand. In the intervals between the toasts, shanties were rendered as sung by sailor men, while Mr Bert Eawlinson and Captain Roberts contributed songs. The latter part of the evening was devoted to an interesting moving picture entertainment by Mr Sundstrum.