A GENEROUS PROPOSAL

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2476, 1 June 1915, Page 7

A GENEROUS PROPOSAL

ONE BAY'S PAY PER MONTH

A movement is on foot to raise money for the National Fund for the wounded and the dependents of them and those who have fallen at the front among the seafaring community. The proposal, made by prominent shipmasters, has been put m circular form and circulated throughout every vessel in New Zealand waters. The circular reads as follows: —

"At a public meeting held on Tuesday, May 18, 1915. it was decided to open a National luind for returned wounded New Zealand soldiers and for the dependents of those who have fallen in this great war. As the seafaring community—of all grades and departments —is well represented amongst the troops that have left for the front, it has been suggested that those who have not enlisted and who arc pursuing their usual peaceful avocations should contribute one day's pay per month to the National Fund. This seems to be quite in accordance with the wave of practical sympathy nnd generosity which is passing over England and her colonics at the present time. A copy of this circular letter will bo placed on board each ship, and on pay-day each willing contributor should hand his amount to the master of the ship, who would in turn pay the sum into the fund at the port in which the ship was then lying. As up to the present only one port (Wellington) has effectively placed the scheme in operation, an endeavour will be 'made to get the Union Company to forward the contributions to Wellington free of charge. The fund will be administered by the Mayors of Wellington, Auckland, Christchurch, and Dunedin, assisted by three Wellington gentlemen to be appointed. It is hoped that this appeal will meet with the generosity which is so characteristic of seamen at all times.—(Signed), "Alex. Carson, master Monowai. "A. M. Edwin, ex-master Warrimoo.

'■'Hugh H. Williams, master Wahine." Yesterday morning a deputation of shipmasters, including the signatories to the circular, with Captain Atwood as spokesman, waited 011 His Worship the Mayor to ask for the co-operation of himself and fellow Mayors in connection with die appeal that was being made. In reply the Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) stated that he would communicate with the Mayors of the other centres on the subject, and was quite sure that they would be only too pleased to do anything in their power in support of such a generous action as that proposed by the shipmasters. The Mayor understood that when the collection was made at one of the central ports it would be forwarded to the Mayor and paid into the National Fund, and if made at any other port that the Union S.S. Company's agents would see that the monev was forwarded to the National Wid.

Messrs. Ilarcourt and' Co. have received instructions to auction that valuable property in Tory Street, the ForestersHall, and the adjoining 4-roomed dwelling. The 6ale will bo held on Friday, June 1. A quantity of oatensheaf chaff will be fold by auction by the New Zealand Fanners'' Cooperative Distributing Co., at E Shed, Queen's AVharf.'at 12.30 p.m. to-day. Tenders for the supply of suits, mattresses, and bolsters for'the New Zealand Hospital Ship are invited by the IMcnco Department up till noon to-day.