LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1622, 13 December 1912, Page 4

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

THE.SEAMEN AND CHRISTMAS. .Sir,—Christinas is rapidly approaching. Already many of us are planning for the festive season among our friends and in our homes. Christmas away from home is always dreaded. Yet' this is the lot of thousands of seamen year after year, many of whom hardly know what it is to be home with loved ones and friends at the joyous season. As his Excellency the Admiral so recently pointed out, it is to theso men tho people of New Zealand are indebted for 'carrying tho world's commodities over sens, not to speak of tho hugo passenger trade in addition. Wo of tho Missions to Seamen in one hundred ports throughout the world aim at providing visiting seamen with some of t'h'O homo pleasures associated with Christmas. In our splendid institute in Wellington, we have mapped out a progrnmiuo extending into tho New! Year, to includo nn old-fashioned Christmas Tree, enrol singing, a tea, with concerts, socials, and picnics. We expect hundreds of seamen to bo in port, and away from home and friends, and hope in this way to brighten tho season for them, and thus to remind them we havo not forgotten how to extend "goodwill to men." Any donations from interested friends in money or kind will bo gratefully acknowledged by yours truly, ■ WILLIAM. E. COCKS, Care Missions to Seamen. 'December 11, 1912.