Ships and Drink

Levin Daily Chronicle, 8 March 1917, Page 4

Ships and Drink

R/ISK OiF SAILING SHO'RTiHANID-

Lieutenant T. W. Moore, R.N.R., secretary of the Imperial Merchant Service Guild, states (says the London Daily Mail). — "For nearly twenty-five years we have agitated in vain for effective measures of discipline. Through overindulgence in strong drink it lias very commonly been the case that well over half the men who have signed articles have failed to turn up, and any sort of quite inefficient substitutes known as 'pierhead-jumpers' have been engaged to take their places. Ships with cargbes of immense value, especially at this critical time, may be well out to sea before their crews become really sober. "True, the Defence of the Realm Act provides for failures to join, but in most cases, owing to lack of effective and prompt measures, the delinquents go scot-free.

"I am not an extreme prohibitionist. but I concur in stricter limitations particularly -on the gigantic 'homebbttlc' business and also the sale of pfernicious spirits. Crews should be compelled to join, say, forty-eight hours before the vessel sails. Severe penalties should be visited on those not doing so, and in case there would then be some assurance that all hands would be sober on.putting to sea.

"Our transport officers could tell an amazing story. I belive that some time ago the Admiralty had under serious consideration the adoption of the Naval Discipline Act in respect of all merchant vessels, but I think they abandoned the idea owing to the attiude of the men's leaders. But surely these leaders, if informed of the tremendous loss the country suffers, would not be averse, from disciplinary measures." ■