WELFARE OF SAILORS.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 November 1922, Page 4

WELFARE OF SAILORS.

INSTITUTE AT NEW PLYMOUTH. LEAD FROM THE CHURCH. The need for the establishment of an institute at the port of New Plymouth for the entertainment and comfort of seafaring men formed the subject of a discussion at last night’s session of the Taranaki Archdeaconry Board. The matter was introduced by the Rev. E. H. Strong (vicar of St. Mary-s) who moved: “(1) That, having regard to the increasing importance of the poi l of New Plymouth and the growing number of vessels concerned with its trade, this board urges upon the parishes of the archdeaconry the responsibility of providing an institute for the entertainment of the sailors. (2) That steps be taken to find out whether the Flying Ange) Mission would consent to estaolish a branch of their mission at this port.”

The mover expressed the belief that the port was going to be very mucii more important in a few years’ time. Even now big vessels could be constantly seen coming to the port, whilst the Harbor Board had given an assurance that more wharfage accommodation would shortly be available. This again would increase the number of vessels trading here. The Rev. Young had suggested that the church should take into consideration the moral and spiritual welfare of. the sailors. Though the port was really situated within the parish of St. Mary’s, yet it was the port of Taranaki, and the matter could reasonably be held to concern all the parishes of the archdeaconry. The speaker thought that something might be done on the lines followed by Mr. Cowie at the port of Auckland. That gentleman made it his business to get in touch with the sailors and hold services, concerts, and entertainments in a clubroom, thus going to show that the church was willing to provide a counter attraction to the public-house. There should certainly be some other means of giving sailors somewhere to go and something to do other than spending their spare time in the hotel. There should be some institution of an elevating character. With regard to New Plymouth, he thought something should be done to meet this growing need. Most of the clergy’s time was fairly extensively taken up, and at present anything in the nature of systematic visits could not be carried out. Perhaps it would be wise to get in touch with the Flying Angel authorities to see if a grant or, part grant could be obtained to help meet the need. The motion was seconded by Mr. S. W. Shaw, who suggested that if the services of a missioner could not be obtained a committee might take charge and arrange a programme of entertainments when boats were in port. He certainly thought all the parishes should help St. Mary’s, while he was sure support would be forthcoming from the townspeople. The sailorman should be made to feel that someone desired to take an interest in him apart from anything that was to be made out of him.

Archdeacon Evans and the Rev. C. W. Howard spoke of the necessity for something in the nature of a home for refit and cheerful society. The debate was adjourned till to-day.