DIFFICULT POSITION.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1923, 4 December 1913, Page 7

DIFFICULT POSITION.

MISSION TO SEAMEN,

STATEMENT BY SECRETARY.

A well-attended meeting of friends of tho Wellington Missions to Seamen was held in tho Seamen's Institute yesterday afternoon to hear a statement as to tho present position of the mission. The Rev. A. M. Johnson, honorary chaplain, presided over the- gathering. Mr, Johnson said they iiad met as friends of the institution, and both the financial position of tho mission and tho occupancy of the building were matters whicu would have to be considered. There was an action in which the committee had become, involved, but the committee was not responsible for it. They were told tho other day that the trustees did not approve cf the mifisiouor, and the committee were given seven days in which to quit. 'J'hey could not help feeling, as those who had supported the present missionoi(Mr. W. B. Cocks), that to turn a man out without giving any reason was unfair. The committee iiad to appeal because it wanted to fihow that Mr. Cooks was a proper person to carry on the work of the mission. (Applause.} It would bo unjust to a man who had dono good work to turn him down without telling him why The caso would come before the Court of Appeal in February, and until then tho society would have the use of tho building. Whatever the decision of the Court, they could not allow the. sign, of the society to leave Wellington; it would follow' Mr. Cooks wherever he went. However, the position was -unsatisfactory. Vcopio who had given _ freely in the past had decided to withhold subftcviptiotui until it was certain what course was to hn taken. He believed that no one could do better work among seafaring men than Mr. Cocks could. Mr. Cocks had done greatwork—he had worked night and day, and had been considerably helped by Mrs. Cocks. Tho speaker appealed for financial support, and concluded by saying that the mission owed a great debt of gratitude to Mr. C. P. Powles, tho honorary scirct.try. Archdeacon Harper moved that tho meeting should express the continued confidence of tho supporters of the Mission in Mr. and Mrs. Cocks. Tin's was carried.