The Southland Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING, Luceo Non Uro. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1923. FOR THE SONS OF SAILORS.

Southland Times, Issue 19123, 15 December 1923, Page 4

The Southland Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING, Luceo Non Uro. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1923. FOR THE SONS OF SAILORS.

Of the many patriotic efforts which the great clash of the nations inspired, none appealed with more irresistible force than those associated with the Royal Navy, which, in many quarters, is recognised as the actual decisive factor in the war since it maintained unchallenged Allied supremacy on the sea, enabling troops and munitions to be poured into the European theatres of operations without let or hindrance. Our debt to these gallant sailormen who in the long dreary hours of trial upheld the glorious traditions of our allconquering Navy, is one which cannot be easily measured in words nor yet discharged with the successful termination of hostilities. It is a continuing duty which we owe to the men who fought so gallantly and.to those whom they bequeathed by reason of their service as wards of the State. The New Zealand sheepowners, imbued by a praiseworthy recognition of its patriotic obligations, early perceived the need for concerted action so that in the years that have yet to dawn, there would be a fund in existence from which would be available financial help to those injured in the nation’s service or to the dependents of those who had made the supreme sacrifice. When it became apparent that the commandeer was going to yield profits greatly in excess of anticipation, a number of those entitled to the increased monetary disbursements generously offered to devote the whole or portion of their share in favour of the creation of a “New Zealand Sheepowners’ Acknowledgment of Debt to British Seamen Fund,” which was accordingly brought into existence and of which the latest balance-sheet and report are just to hand. They disclose a healthy activity in a good cause. During the year the sum of £6119 was disbursed to beneficiaries, while the total of £3971 was loaned. The assistance given covered a large variety of cases—of sustenance allowances to disabled men, of grants for temporary relief, of payments for clothing, etc., while the loans were devoted to assisting men to go on tlie land, start in trades, etc. From this statement it is possible to at once comprehend the beneficent ramifications of the society. In this year’s report, which bears the imprimatur of Hon. E. Newman, M.L.C., it is mentioned that throughout it has been realised that the largest field for the operations of the Fund is in England, and recognition of this fact has prompted the Trustees to agree to utilise the corpus of the fund in a way which will be to the great benefit of the dependents of the gallant seamen of the British Navy and mercantile marine for whom the money was given, and at the same time be particularly identified with New Zealand sheepfarmers. The idea is to devote a considerable portion of the available funds at their disposal for the purpose of bringing out to New Zealand sons and daughters of seamen who had been killed or had been disabled luring the war, and, after preliminary training under the Trustees’ supervision in the

essentials of New Zealand farm work, establishing them with suitable farmers in New Zealand where they will receive thorough and practical training and friendly and sympathetic surroundings, eventually assisting the boys to acquire farms of their own in this country. This scheme is immediately impressive by reason of its practical utility. It is no wonder therefore that upon its further examination the Trustees have decided that no time should be lost in carrying the matter to a successful conclusion, limiting the scheme at first to boys only. Steps are accordingly being taken to acquire a suitable property where the boys will receive preliminary training for six months and after being taught to ride, drive, milk, plough, kill, repair fences, plant trees, etc., will be available for employment by suitable farmers approved by the Trustees, preference being given to subscribers to the Fund. It is hoped, when the operations of the scheme are in full working order that fifty boys will be available every three months, and the London Advisory Committee has been asked to take the initial steps for the selection of the first lot of boys. In concluding their announcement of the inauguration of this scheme, the Trustees stride an appeal for co-operation which will pot, we opine, be made in vain: The Trustees wish to emphasise their recognition of the fact that they are placing themselves in the position, with all the responsibilities of the fathers which the boys have lost, and they ask the fullest co-operation of the contributors to the Fund in assisting the Trustees in their duties and helping the boys to a successful farming career in this favoured Dominion.