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inadequate to stop a progressive deterioration in the situation. This Bill was finally withdrawn, after opposition had been shown by some local bodies. There was no evidence of direct industrial opposition. The partial failure of local-body support for the measure probably reflected inadequate preparation of public opinion and unwarranted fears that the measure might impinge substantially on local body jurisdiction. Following the withdrawal of the Bill last session, Cabinet instructed that the Marine Department should meanwhile exercise generally such functions as were proposed for the statutory council excepting only any powers which only the Legislature could have conferred. The Marine Department was empowered to reconstitute a small Interdepartmental Committee, and this at present includes, in addition to departmental officers, representatives of the Health Department and Ministry of Works, together with the Dominion Analyst. While this Committee is of some service, the problems facing it are too great to be dealt with competently by a non-authoritative body comprising officers whose regular duties occupy their time fully. The longer a comprehensive approach is delayed to the pollution problem, the greater will be the ultimate difficulty of solving it. At present there is no adequate machinery to deal fairly and adequately with existing pollution or to advise new industries as tothe conditions under which they may operate in future years. PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL WELFARE OF SEAMEN No report would be complete without reference to and appreciation of the silent work performed by voluntary helpers for all seamen in our ports. Space does not permit publication of details of ships visited, seamen contacted, books distributed, sick seamen visited in hospital, and entertainment provided year by year. Splendid work has been performed by the Missions to Seamen, the Apostleship of the Sea, the British Sailors' Society, and the Flying Angel Mission. SURVEY OF SHIPS During the year ended the 31st March, 1950, survey certificates of the following various categories were issued by the Marine Department: — Survey Certificates — Foreign-going Passenger Ships . . . . .. 4 Foreign-going Cargo Steamships .. .. .. 1 Foreign-going Cargo Motor ships . . .. .. 5 Home-trade Steamships .. . . .. 28 Home-trade Motorships . . .. .. 80 Restricted Limits Steamships . . .. 30 Restricted Limits Motorships .. .. .. 311 459 Equipment Certificates — Restricted Limits .. .. .. .. 1 Home-trade . . .. .. .. .. 18 Foreign-going .. .. .. .. 19 3B Total .. .. .. .. .- 497 Surveys were also made in 262 cases for seaworthiness, efficiency of equipment, tonnage measurement, radio-telegraphy, &c, as against 303 such surveys made in 1948-49. Included in these totals are surveys made on overseas ships not registered nor normally surveyed in the Dominion. Two new vessels built overseas have been added to the New Zealand merchant fleet. They are the twin-screw motor vessel " Mamaku," of 926 gross tons, built in Scotland in 1949 for the Anchor Shipping and Foundry Co., Ltd., and the single-screw motor vessel " Taima," of 539 tons gross. " Tainui " was built in Sweden, named

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