"THE SAILORS' DAY."

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2901, 13 October 1916, Page 6

"THE SAILORS' DAY."

LORD BERESFORD'S APPEAL LETTER FROM LADY BEATTY Tho Mayor (Mr. J. P; Luke) has received a communication from Miss Margaret Baxter in connection with "The Sailors' Day" (including an appeal from Lord Charles Beresford and Lady Beatty), soliciting his warm support and sympathy for tho movement. Lord Berosford's letter, darted August 16, says:— "Sir, —Will you kindly permit me to make an appeal to tho people of our Empire for their generous practical recognition of the invaluable services performed during the present war by tho officers and men of every branch of the British morcantilo marine. It, seems to me that tho zeal, loyalty, and devotion to duty of the personnel of our merchant service are eminently worthy of tho highest tribute /of our admiration and gratitude. . Those gallant men, men who, face to face with ovory phase of enemy frightfulness, havoj day after day, gone down to the sea m ships, so that our ocean commerce might be maintained, our supplies of food and raw material forthcoming, and tlio transport of our Navy and Army fulfilled, have discharged duties of incalculable value to the ultimate achievement of victory.

"I cannot conceive any more appropriate testimony to tho chivalry and courage of our merchant service than the organisation of the most ample facilities possible for the educationprof erably for a sea career—of ' the children of those brave sailors who have lost their lives or who have sustained permanent injury' during tho {irogress of the war. It will bo cqualy a fitting mark of our appreciation of tho British mercantile marine if such a scheme can be extended so as to enlarge the opportunities for the seatraining of British boys generally, with the object of .eliminating at the earliest convenient moment all aliens from the Merchant Service of tho Empire.

"It is accordingly proposed by means of Flag Days, and through tho generous support of those who can afford to 6ubscribo amounts, largo or small, to organise a fund having this 'definite object in view. The scheme is being promoted under the auspices of the Navy League and tho British and Foroigu Sailors' Society, and a Flag Day has been approved to tako place in London on October 4 next. The Lord Mayor of London has given his warm approval to tho project, and has very kindly' placed tho Mansion House at tho disposal of tho committee for tho purposes of the Flag Day. "Flag days are also being arranged in other large centres in Great Britain, and the schenio will bo extended throughout the Dominions and dependencies during tho autumn and winter. It has been agreed that a poHion of tho funds raised should be devoted to the education of the children of tho men of tho Fleet.

"Tho committee will be grateful for organisers and helpers in every borough and town in the country, and all communications relating to flag days should be addressed to tho hon. secretaries, Tho Sailors' Day, 11 Victoria Street, Westminster." In the course of her letter, Lady Beatty says:— "This appeal -for our sailors must touch tho hearts of all those who realise the magnificent service our splendid Fleet has rendorcd to -the country sinco the warliroko out. We owe them a dobt -that can never bo repaid, and We hope to rcceivo a genorous response to this appeal from every man, woman, and child in the Empire. I sincerely ask that you will bo so kind as to support a Sailors' Day at any date convenient to you after receiving this letter. Tho flag we aro using has the White Ensign on one side and tho Bed Ensign on the other, but whother you use this flag or another is a matter for your own decision. As it is the first appeal fTiat has been made for our brave sailors, I am sure that you will do all in your power to make this movement a success."

LAND FOR MAORI SOLDIERS • DONATED BY THE NATIVES OF TUWHARETOA.. ' By Telegraph—Press Association. Talhapo, October 12.

The Tuwharetoa Natives, who, at a recent meeting at Tokaami, gave 2{j,01)0 acres of the Ohauko Block for a Maori soldier settlement, At the same time informed the Hon. Dr. Pomaro that they would give £800 now lying to their credit with the Public Trustee as a donation towards'erecting a monument in Wellington in memory of the Maori soldiers killed in the war. Ngata Parana and Tau Henaro aro to be 'asked to confer with their people, with a view to increasing the amount to £2000, or more if necessary, to 6ccure a monument in the highest art style. The Maoris would like the . monument to bo erected in front of Parliament Buildings.