THE AMOKUFA.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2537, 25 June 1909, Page 3

THE AMOKUFA.

THE HON, J. A. MILLAR’S VIEWS. “We are doing a great work on the Amolcura, even though much of it may not be seen by the public,” declared tho Hon. J. A. Millar, Minister of Marine, at a gathering of the Missions to Seamep in Wellington. He went on to say that in an island country such as this there could be no greater work than that of training boys to fo’low the sea for a livelihood. But the trouble was that the Amolcura was too small for requirements. There was not even room for a schoolmaster ,on board. It was his hope that in time the Government would bo able to get a larger vessel, which could bo used more as a depot ship) Then they could take a much larger number of boys, who could ho drafted to the Amolcura for their sea training. At present/owing to the lack of accommodation for a schoolmaster they could not take any hoy who had not passed the fourth standard, but if additional facilities were obtained they would be able to take lads who had not attained that degree of knowledge. This would he possible, for the teaching could then be clone during the two years’ stay on the ship. He hoped that,, in time, we would. not only be able to man the whole of our mercantile marine by lo-cally-trained lads, hut would also be able to provide the Navy with as many men as might Be required tor the defence of our own coasts. He admitted that that might be in the distant future, but still, in a growing country, such as this it was certain that there must bo some sort of coastal defence. There could'be nothing finer, he he.cl, than for the pconle to know that the 6hit>s defending these shores wore manned by their own sons. He hoped to be able to instil into the hoys that Meal of patriotism which wou d lead them to see that it was a duty, as far as possible, to man the ships which belonged to this- country. *