IN DISTRESS.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVII, Issue 4504, 16 December 1909, Page 3

IN DISTRESS.

(To the Editor.) For over forty years our aim Has been to help poor Jack ; When the snows of age have crowned him And he’s on the homeward tack. We give a pension to the tar, Who isn’t quite alone ; And a cabin snug at Belvedere To Darby minus Joan. The British merchant sailor is an indispensible link in binding together that great family, which, scattered throughout the world, goes to make the British Empire. It cannot therefore be to them a matter of indifference what becomes of the sailor when " Too feeble for another cruise—when the last wave has cast him high and dry on the shores of the Old Country—too often, alas ! a wreck ! !” The nature of his calling has largely prevented him making provision for old age and his condition is often complete destitution. The Royal Alfred Aged Merchant Seamen’s Institution has come to his assistance at this crisis of his life, and over 2,500 such human derelicts have either found a home in the Institution’s beautiful Park at Belvedere, Kent, where Their anchors arc cast, their sails are all furled, They have weathered the ocean’s deep chiding ; And safe from the buffeting waves of the

world, Hera, in “ Belvedere ” haven, are riding.” or have beep granted the outpension at their own homes throughout the United Kingdom No longer can it be said of the British sailor that—- “ Where he goes and how he fares Nobody knows and nobody cares.”

The Committee are assured that many Britons beyond the seas would be glad to assist in this noble and patriotic work, and they would be greatly cheered and encouraged by such assistance —Yours faithfully, J. BAJLEY WALTER, Secretary. London, 58 Fenchurck Street, E.C.