[To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR.] SIR,—I am naturally very
gratified to read Mr. Kenneth Bradshaw's letter in your issue of July 27th supporting the views which I was, by your courtesy, able to express in the issue of the previous week. I would, however, for the sake of accuracy, point out that in my comparison of wages paid by British and foreign shipmasters, I referred solely to the navigating and engineer Officers. Mr. Bradshaw has stated that British Seamen are very nearly the lowest paid of any nation in the world. Although legally the officers are seamen—in the general sense—the word is used in reference to the lower deck ratings, and thus used, Mr. Bradshaw's statement is not correct.
Under the existing wage scales, it frequently happens that a certificated officer's pay is less than that of the seamen under his command. In one well-known company, certificated officers carrying out the duties of a fourth officer are paid 12 per month, i.e., rather less than they received formerly as apprentices, and considerably less than the native quarter- masters and serangs.—I am, Sir, &c., WILLI:tor H. Coomas (General Manager).
s The Officers (Merchant Navy) Federation, Ltd.,
28 Leadenhall Street, E.C. 3.
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