Women's Organizations Shanghai, Apr. 19, A Reader's Amazement To the Editor of the "Nonrn-Cuma Darty News"
Sin I have read with amazement 'a report appearing in today's issue of your paper" covering the annual meeting of the Missions to Seamen. That there should even be a suggestion that this invaluable work on behalf of our seamen, particularly at a time like this, should be abandoned is, to my mind, a serious reflection upon the British residents of this city.
There is plenty of money here to cover whatever rental may be necessary to provide adequate accommodation. All that needs to be done to present the needs In a proper manner. May I enquire of the committee, have the Central British War Fund Committee been approached for contributions? If not, why not?
Will you please forward to the committee of the Missions to Seamen the enclosed cheque representing my contribution to this worthy cause, I fam confident that there will be ample funds forthcoming it a wide appeal made to the British public in Shanghai, Apr. 19
An Address Criticized si that I read the report of Mz. Weaver's address at the annual meeting of the supporters of the Missions to Seamen your esteemed journal today.
1h view of the bitterness displayed therein and his disgruntled attitude toward both his late landlords and. committee (with neither of whom have any connections), I feel the: public should know one or two facts which,. curiously enough Weaven has not found sufficiently important to embody in his address.
In the first place 1 would point out that my first associations with the mission dates back to the year 1908, when at the tender age of 16 and serving my apprenticeship in the famous Loch Line of sailing ships, first made my bow to this Institution in. Melbourne—Australia, Since this time I have visited most of the important seaports of the World in pursuit of my profession, terminating my sea career in Shang-alin 1923, Taking a wider issue of the situs tion therefore, what amazes me to-ay "is that this reputedly "richly endowed organization has not seen Bt to erect their own Mission prem. ses here in Shanghai (supposed to be the fifth largest port in the world), whereas in any other port of note. that I have visited, one sees their; own very fine buildings and. clubrooms for seamen, where no expense seems to be spared to carry on their extremely laudable work.
Returning to Mu. Weaven's address, ely it would have been a gracious gesture on his part to record publicly his gratitude to his recent landlords, Inasmuch as these benevolent people had afforded him excellent accommodation for his work in their Canton Road premises for a matter of some two years at a purely nominal rental.
In my humble opinion this would have been in far better taste than some of the expressions appearing in his address as it stands.
"Another point of interest to the Public—and especially subseribers—might have been made in Mr. Weaven's address, had he given them some idea of the daily attendance of seamen at his Mission in Canton. Road since the withdrawal of 50 many ships from the Far Eastern run {in the last six months, This omission must leave many who are in touch with the situation, in grave doubts as to the expediency of continuing in premises of the type be has recently vacated.
Finally, there must be widespread lack of conviction with regard to the impracticability of the return of the Mission to Its former home on Broadway, provided for in the Hanbury! Trust.
In this connection it has been' argued that the locality is vicious. will take issue on this point, as in my opinion it is no more vicious than twas, say, three years ago.
This removal then, is to my mind the logical answer to Mu. Weaver's plight—a plight which under circumstances justifies such public expression of sentiments as "letting our King and Country down" at a time like this and in a place like Shanghai.
Should I hear of a fund being] opened to renovate Ma. Weaver's premises on Broadway, with the view of again housing the Mission there, T shall be one of the first, sit, to donate generously to the scheme.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.