TRAINING BOYS FOR SEA

Taranaki Daily News, 29 September 1930, Page 9

TRAINING BOYS FOR SEA

DIFFICULTIES IN DOMINION SUPPLY EXCEEDS DEMAND. The re-establishment of a training ship for youths desirous of following a seafaring life has recently been urged on the Government, but according to the annual report of the Marine Department, tabled in the House of Representatives, it appears that the setting up of any sort of training establishment would be costly and would result in the training of a number of youths f6r the mercantile marine, which can absorb only a limited number of those trained. During the year offers were made by G. H. S ca l es and Company, of the barque Rewa, and by the Union Steam Ship Company, of the steamer Corinna, for the purpose. During the years 1900 to 1922 the department maintained the Amokura as a training ship. This vessel was equipped for both steam and sail and spent over a-third of her time at sea. The total number of lads who joined + e vessel was about 500, and of these about 400 joined other vessels. The average cost to the department per fully qualified trainee per year varied from £205 to £373. In 1922 the ship was put out of commission as an economy measure. “As to re-establishing a training ship, continued’the report, “the question first arises as to what sort of training should be given. Unquestionably the sea-going training ship, and preferably a sailing ship with proper general educational and technical schooling, gives the best training, and is in every way best foi the boys, but it is the most expensive form of training. There are still in existence many harbour training ships, -but these are going out of favour and giving place to shore institutions. “The .objective of practically all the Home establishments, whether sea-going or not, is the training of boys and youths to become officers. The difficulty complained of in the representations which have been made to the Government is that the opportunity of going to sea is denied to a great maffy Zealand boys who desire to do so, which may be an entirely separate question to that of training officers. It is actually the case in New Zealand to-day that there is a greater supply of officers and seamen, and particularly the latter, 'than the mercantile marine can absorb, and from this position arises the difficulty with which youths desiring to go to sea are confronted. “In this respect, however, our youths who desire to go to sea are in no different position from those who desire to enter other trades or callings as apprentices where the quota of apprentices to tradesmen is restricted. It is probable that this restriction in certain avenues of employment has resulted in an increase in the numbers of those now applying for employment at sea. It is also the case that increasing numbers of trained seamen froin overseas are making their homes here.”