LETTERS TOTHE EDITOR

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 9, 5 October 1918, Page 8

LETTERS TOTHE EDITOR

WOOLGROWERS AND A BRITISH

SEAMEN'S FUND

Sir,—Circulars have now been dis-1 patched to all the fiockowners in the Dominion, asking them to agree to their surplus wool money being devoted to this iiind; and already JMr. Lees, lion, secretary to the fund, has received a large number of favourable replies. Two points, however, have arisen, a misunderstanding about which in the minds cif farmers will militate against the scheme, and for that reason, by your kijid leave, I would like to refer to them. Many people think that merchant seamen participate in "prize , money, as lloyal Navy men do. But this is not tho case; and tho following extract from speeches lately made by Dr. Macuamara and Commander Bellairs, when'the Naval Prize Bill was before the House of Commons, proves this:— • "Commander Bellairs regretted that the mercantile marine were not included in the distribution of prize money; and Mr. Peto suggested the formation of a pensions fund for the mercantile marine, to which the nation might contribute. "Dr. Macnamara said that the Admiralty fully sympathised with tho idea of recognition of the services of the mercantile marine • by the institution of a special fiifnd, but of course the matter was not within their jurisdiction. _ If they were, to bo rewarded it sliinila be in some other way, and ho had written to Mr. Peto that any scheme of retiring allowances for merchant seamen in which he was interested would be ver> sympathetically- considered by the Board of Admiralty." The other point which I desire to mention is the rate of pay of seamei; n. the Royal Navy.' I find there, is a general impression that they, receive much higher pay than they really do. And 1 have eveii been told that them is no reason why sailors should not provide for their dependants- out of their pay. The following statement shows the pay, pensions, and allowances of the various ranks trf seamen in tho Royal Navv:—

Pay of ordinary seamen, Is. 3d. per day and rations.

Pay of able seaman, Is. 10d. to 2s. Id. per day anil rations.Pay of leading seaman, 2s, od. to 2s. 7s. per day.and rations, ■ . • Long-service pensions, after twentytwo years' service, lid. to Is. 3d. per day for life. i '

■ Regulations governing pensions other ihaii long-service pensions:—A seaman discharged as medically unfit, such unfitness being either attributable to or aggravated by service during tho present war, and not being due to his serious negligence or misconduct, may he granted a pension at the _ rates shown below nt tlio rate which is estimated to represent the extent of iiis disablement:—From ss. Cd. per week to 275. Cd. per week.j Additions are luade for children under the age oS sixteen at such proportioc of the following wrtjkly rates as corresponds to r.'ie degree of disablement at which the man is assessed for pension:—For a first child, os. per week; fur second child, 4s. 2d. per week; for third child, 3s. 4d. per week; for fourth child; 2s. 6d. per week; for each child after, 2s. (id. per week. In addition an allowance for cood conduct badges,' medal, etc., is made according to length of serviws as follows:—Men of 6 and under years' service, Is. per week; men of 12 and under 18 years' service, 2s. per week; men or 18 and under 21 years' service, 3s. per week • men of 21 and under,2s years' service, :4s. per week; "men of 25 and over, ss. per week. I think most reasonable people will admit, after reading this statement, that men do not join the Navy in order to make their fortunes, and also that it is impossible for- them , to :pro : vide adequately for their dependants out of their pay. That being the 1 case, surely we, who are so much better oft' financially, and have benefited so directly by the service of the bravo men of the sister services, : should jump at tho chance of doing something practical for the widows and children of those'who have given their lives'or been wounded at sea during the Great War.—l am, etc., EDWARD NEWMAN.