VOLUNTEER SEAMEN

Hokitika Guardian, 20 November 1925, Page 4

VOLUNTEER SEAMEN

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W El. 1.1 \( ;T( .Novomhor I s An nil'er lo extend hn-pitnlity in England to volunteers who hove

manned overseas steamers is contained in a eiililee.rani received liy an Auekla lit a train .Mrs Haldane. wile oi Professor Haldane, of Oxloid. and sister-in-law of i.nrd Haldane. Mrs Haldane makes the oil'er on liehaif of the Victoria League in London. Tin*

( nblegrums asks for particulars of lie nnndier.s of volooteer seamen and of

the ships which they helped to man. A renlv lias heen sent that over 2(l0 men havi* already sailed on steamers hound lor liritish ports. Mis Haldane is advised to apnly for particulars of dates of iirrivals at tin' London olliees of tin* principal companies. She is also advised that it is important to see that lodging suitable for a good class of men is secured pending their einhnrkation on the return jnnVTiey to New Zealand. The Victoria League’s idler Inis come as a surprise. Ii lias been made .spontaneously, no suggestion in this direction having been made in New Zealand. Several parents of volunteers have expressed gratification that so sterling an organisation should he preparing to look alter their sons while in Eng- j land. The league lias, of course, j great resources, and ea.ii open up avenues of hospitality which would | he closed to the ordinary visitor to England.

The Victoria League had experience of such work' on a much larger scale during; the war, and most returned soldiers will have grateful memories of its activities. The association of Mrs Haldane's name with the present oiler will also revive happy recollections for many a New Zealand soldier. She did much during the war for the entertainment of overseas soldiers, and her home in a pretty suburb of Oxford was always open for the men who were billet.* I in the various colleges for training as officers.