MARINE ENGINEERS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 207, 21 May 1918, Page 6

MARINE ENGINEERS

AND NATIONAL EFFICIENCY. Sir,—l would like to draw attention to a matter that I think might be oxplained by the Defence Minister, in tlio absence of an Efficiency Minister. Tlio Second Division include a number of lneu holding the necessary qualifications as first-class marine engineers, and I would suggest that it is not'good business for the country to send these men on active service and keep at home tha First Division men exempted sine die who are considered necessary to maintain the various maritime services. It appears to the writer that the First Division men would he flic more suitable for activo service, and at the same time provide a. bigger percentage of medical fitness. And reciprocally, tlio Second Division men would bo the more suitable for the positions in the mercantile marine. Tlio difference of expense—both actual and potential—is obvious. At the moment I know personally over fifty Second Division reservist* in positions ashore and holding first-class certificates—and, of course, I presume thero are many more. It is only reasonable lo assume that ail these men cannot be passed aa medically fit, but they are practically all fit to go to sea and thus release a corresponding number of fit I and younger men Tor active service. Ami! j I understand that the authorities concerned are provided with the necessary i machinery to enable them to maks suck j a suggested rearrangement. No doubt i there are very sound reasons vrhy this_ is not being done, hence it would be in? | tcresting to hear of a pronouncement oil i the matter,-4 am, eto., BRASS BOUNDER.