THE GOVERNMENT'S SHIPPING POLICY [To the Editor of THE SPErrAzon.]
have read with great interest Sir Archibald Hurd's authoritative article on " The Government and Shipping," and it is encouraging to note the increasing public interest which is being taken in this very vital problem.
One aspect which would appear not to have received the prominence which we submit it warrants is the effect of the present position and of the Government's proposals to remedy it upon the personnel of the Merchant Navy. It would not be an over-statement to say that for several years past very grave discontent has existed in the ranks of British Merchant Officers. They have realized the depressed state of shipping and have made abundant sacrifices cheerfully. They feel, however, that there has been an almost traditional lack of appreciation on the part of the Government of the fact that officers not only serve a great industry• but also constitute a very important National Service.
The time is overdue for the Government to take a con- structive interest in the control of entry and training of future officers. At the present time, a monthly average of 70 junior officers are qualifying for Board of Trade Certificates with little, if any, prospect of employment as officers. The result of the inevitable overcrowding of the Service is that the supply greatly exceeds the demand, and British officers are among the poorest paid of the principal maritime countries of Europe. They have no legal claim for leave, and very few. if any, rights to pension or superannuation. It is not too much to say that the conditions under which the majority of Mer- chant Officers are serving today really constitute a national disgrace.
The Government's proposal to encourage a " scrap and build " policy will obviously result in further unemployment. Having regard to the fact that the personnel of the Merchant Navy are an important national asset as well as servants of a great industry, surely it is incumbent upon the Government to impose reasonable stipulations that if a subsidy or other financial assistance be given out of public funds, a reasonable measure of control shall be put upon the entry of the future officers, and reasonable conditions of service shall obtain. Unless such stipulations are made, we fear that the present very serious feeling of dissatisfaction in the Service will become aggravated, greatly to the detriment of national interests.—I am, Sir, &c., The Officers (Merchant Navy) Federation, Ltd., 23 Leadenhall Street, London, E.G. 3.
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