MERCHANT SERVICE OFFICERS.

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2584, 5 October 1915, Page 8

MERCHANT SERVICE OFFICERS.

Sir,—May I. draw your attention to an answer given by the Hon. Dr. M'Nab to a question by Mr. Poole, if he would let vessels go to sea that were notmanned by a qualified crew, where tha Hon. Minister stated that they were compelled to mako provision sometimes for vessels going to sea, where they had.' not tho full complement of officers qualified as required by the Act. So far it has not occurred that a vessel could not secure the number of officers as provided by the Shipping and Seamen Act, as it has been ably, pointed out by "Mariner" in your is6ue of August 25,. wheu there were over twenty certificated masters and officers out of employment in Wellington alor.e, and since then -the number . has increased, although, one of the largest steamship companies has given a number of junior officers employment. Before any, alteration is made in tha Shipping Act, it would be well if tha Hon. Minister conferred with the Merchant Service Guild on this matter, as ■ it has been, pointed out by. Mr. W. T.Young to the Minister that it was purely the function of the . M.S.G. (whose opinion has not been asked). . The Hon. Minister is apparently not Jiware that at present- a largo number of vessels carry more certificated men than the law provides for. For the master to take the second mate's watch with an uncertificated man- in charge of the bridge, and still b.o held responsible for ship,' crew, and passengers, is out of all' reason. Imagine a; master; just having completed his watch, the weather becoming thick or hazy, or nearing a danger point; there would be no end to his watch. .Thanking you for the space,—l am, etc., : ANOTHER MARINER. - .Wellington, October 4, 1915.