CORRESPONDENCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2206, 2 June 1908, Page 1

CORRESPONDENCE.

[Correspondence on public matters' is welcomed at all times, but it must bo distinctly understood that this journal is in no way associated with the opinions of its correspondents.) ENGLISH AND OTHER CHEATS FOR AIERCHANT SHIPS. [To the Euitoii.J Sir, —You .quote from an English paper on this subject, and give the opinion of captains and engineers. I have dono a lot of travelling, and have had plenty of opportunity of observing tho difference between English crews and those of other j nationalities; and have learned to congratulate myself when I notice a large proportion of either Orientals, Scandinavians, or Germans in the crew, for I know that sham illness (I have travelled as ship’s surgeon in many lands), insubordination, and, above all, drunkenness, will be lessened during the voyage in proportion as the number of. English members of the crew are reduced. On many occasions I have heard captains and officers express themselves as-pleased to find any nationality blit English predominating in .a crew. When the ship arrives in pdftthe English members are sure to make use of their shore leave, in a large proportion of cases, by getting drunk and giving endless trouble, whilst men of other nationalities come back to the ship from shore sober and quiet, and a credit to the ship. —I am. etc., “D.0.C.” G ishorne, Alay 30, 1908.