SEA-TRAINING FOR BOYS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 923, 17 March 1930, Page 16

SEA-TRAINING FOR BOYS

PROPOSAL TO PURCHASE VESSEL MEETING IN WELLINGTON From Our Resident Reporter WELLINGTON, Today. A meeting was held on Saturday, presided over by the Mayor, Mr. G. A. Troup, to consider a proposal that a ship should be acqLiired in Wellington on which to train boys who desire to become sailors in the merchant marine. The meeting consisted of Captains P. A. Peterson, S. Holm, J. S. Gill, W. J. Keane, F. A. Macindoe and Messrs. C. H. Chapman, M.P., R. A. Wright, M.P., E. Salmon, chairman of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, and *J. T. Spears, representing the manufacturers’ Federation. Mr. TroLip said representations had been made to him that there was a possibility of getting a ship for the training of sea apprentices. There was also the possibility of getting money to place the vessel in good condition and bring her to Wellington. The scheme would enable an opportunity to be given to a number of Xew Zealanders who had an inclination to go to sea, but at present could not do so. Captain Holm said their proposal was to place a training ship at Wellington or some other suitable port, where Xew Zealand boys could qualify for the sea. It was their aim to instruct 50 boys a year enabling them to enter the mercantile fleet as ordinary seamen. At present there was no facility in this direction and Xew Zealand boys were barred from entering the seafaring profession under the existing regulations. They had been offered the sailing ship Rewa. Captain Keane suggested that a small ship could carry cargo in the intercolonial trade. Mr. Troup consented to discuss the I matter with Mr. Aiken and later to ' introduce a deputation to the ActingPrime Minister, the Hon. G. W. Forbes, ; on Friday next,