The Committee appointed to inquire into the question of Navy
rations, meal hours, and other kindred matters has issued its Report, which is alike excellent in substance and form. It is clear, straightforward, and decisive. The chief recommendations are that the present rations shall be in- creased materially, and shall include tea, sugar, jam, and con- densed milk, and that mutton shall be issued as well as beef. The Committee also recommend that there shall be five recog- nised meals in future instead of three. We cannot go into the recommendations in detail, but their general effect will be considerably to increase the men's comfort. We wish there had been a recommendation in favour of baking bread as a substitute for biscuits. We believe that on American warships there is always fresh bread, and that in this respect, at any rate, the American sailors are much envied by our men. The cost of the recommendations would, it is calculated, be about £187,000 a year. Needless to say, the country will not grudge our sailors this extra charge on the Treasury. If ever man was worthy of his hire, it is the British sailor.
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