THE SAILOR KING AND THE MERCHANT SERVICE.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 871, 18 July 1910, Page 8

THE SAILOR KING AND THE MERCHANT SERVICE.

AN ACT OF CLEMENCY. ' ency marking the accession to the throne ency. marking the accession to the Throno of his Majesty King George V it had been decreed that the discharge books of seamen -which had been witliield by the Board of Trade owing to failure to join their ships, and to other causes,, are to be returned to their oirners, tho Imperial Merchant Service Guild made representations to tlio ■ Board of Trade suggesting that a similar'.act of j;race might be extended to the captains and officers of the British merchant -.service whose certificates are at present under suspension owing to different causes. The guild have now received the following- communications from the marine department of the Board of Trade:— ' - In reply to your letter of May 21, asking that tho certificates of officers,' which have been suspended by Courts of Inquiry, should be returned as an . act of 'clemency on the accession of , King George, I am directed by tho Board of Trade to state that, with his Majesty's approval, they have decided to retnrn at once those certificates which have been suspended for,' acts of professional default, and to ' remit one-third of the original period of suspension in the case of those officers whose certificates have- been suspended for offences involving personal misconduct. (Signed) Walter J. Howell. Tho secretary of the Iraperial Merchant Service Guild lulds:'"-. • • The concession which our sailor King has Ireen pleased to grant will be greatly appreciated by his loyal subjects serving under the red ensign."