MERCANTILE MARINE.

Taihape Daily Times, 3 July 1919, Page 3

MERCANTIL E MARINE.

MANY BRITISH MASTERS AND OFFICERS UNEMPLOYED. The heavy war losses of shipping tonnage have resulted in many Br-itish masters and otfieers being unable to obtain employment. It has been stated in the press that. ‘there was a possi—bility of these masters and ofl‘iccrs securing employment in the United States mercantile marine. , In an interview yesterday, Captain F. A. Maclndoe, secretary of the Merchant Service Guild, said that fgom eonslt«ant enquiries which’ held been made by the Imperial Merchant Guild, such a probability was small, and captains and officers would be well advised to make themselves quite sure, lest they wafie money, and expend valuable time in undertaking a fruitless mission to the United States. From information received from New York, arising out of enquiries made at the Customs Bureau there, it. appeared that provisional licenses were granted to British captains and Oiiicers for the duration of the war only, and -‘it. was stated that as soon as Peace was signed these licenses would be revoked. After ,it would be necessary to be an American citizen before a certificated British subject could be employed on American vessels. To become a citizen of the United States it is necessary, first of all. to have an established residence. A decluratioii of intention is then required, and the final papers are issued in about just been informed that a powerful organisation such as theirs exists in America, which is insisting on British captains and officers beconlin~g natur-

alised and also passing :1 Stiff examin« afion before licenses are issued. No British certificate can be merely exchanged for an .-/Xmrican license. Still further inquiries are being made by the Guild, but in the meantime it is considered desirable that this informajfion should become known to those concerned.