SAILORS AND SHIPS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 125, 13 February 1918, Page 4

SAILORS AND SHIPS

"A FORM OF COMPULSION." Tho ciiso of a sailor, who, according to the police report, was spending: only, about half his time in tho shipping service, was mentioned before the Third Wellington Military Service Board yesterday. Mr. W. T. Young, secretary of tho Federated Seamen s Union, appealed on behalf of the man, and the hoard raised the question ot whether or not a sailor who served casually was entitled to the exemption that is given to bona-fide seamen. Mr. Young said it had been agreed tliat a genuine sailor would not cease to be a sailor merely because he was ashore for three or four weeks. Hβ complained that a form of compulsion was being brought to bear upon seamen to make them join ships on which they did not wish to serve. The chairman of the board said that the man had promised to join the Kim, but had failed to do so. _ Mr Young: That is an indication of the compulsion of which I have spoken, , . The chairman: I see no compulsion there. . .. ~ , Mr Youns;: "I said an indication ot compulsion. , - , ' Th« compulsion was by Government officers recently appointed at the different ports. ' ~ The appeal was allowed finally on the ground that the reservist wp » member of Cl-.ss B of the Second Division, and so was not yet liable lor service.