CONDITIONS IN THE MERCHANT SERVICE [To the Editor of TIIE
SPEcrArort.]
Sin,—I write to thank you so much for your paragraph on the subject of the La Crescenta.' On November 80th, 1933, 12,000 officers of our merchant service petitioned the Government for an enquiry into their conditions of service. That petition was refused on the grounds that the National Maritime Board was able to do all that was necessary. That body has no statutory powers and is composed of ship- owners with elected representatives of officers and men', the latter of whom have only power to make suggestions'. Two years have now passed away, and in that time the
Usworth," Millpool," Blairgowrie,' and La Crescenta have followed each other to a grave in the great waters. Had the Government taken action on the grounds desired many of these officers and men would be alive today. The owners of La Creseenta ' have appealed against the findings of the Wreck Commissioner, so it would be improper for me to comment on this case which is now sub judice. I will only say that I was present each day of the enquiry, sitting beside the heartbroken mother of the third officer. He was her only son. In the name of the wives and mothers of merchant service officers, I beg all who read this letter not to be satisfied with piecemeal investigations by the Board of Trade, but to insist through their Members of Parliament for a public enquiry either by Royal Commission or otherwise into the Merchant Shipping Act, last revised I believe in 1894. We contend that it is obsolete and that the public would be horrified could they realise how little it is suited to present- day conditions and what loopholes it leaves to unscrupulous shipowners. If so, these men will not have died in vain.—
President, the " Watch Ashore." _Nonsuch Park, Cheam, Surrey.
Previous page
