the seaman, anxiety and trouble to the master, and heavy loss to the owner.
One month's advance is sufficient for any class of seamen, but it is hopeless to expect the cooperation of ship masters or Consignees Abroad, whose only object is despatch, when the ship is ready for sea, and who, in order to avoid delay, will continue to give the old rates and thus perpetuate the evil; whilst Government interference would, I fear, be futile, and means would be devised to render any Regulations on the subject nugatory, the shipmaster being equally culpable with the crimp when his individual interests are concerned.
The entire Abolition of the Ghaut Serang System as it now exists in India and the Straits Settlements would be, however, a certain advantage to the shipping interests of the world - as it now exists its effects are felt equally here, and in Britain, injuring discipline and leading to desertion.