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state of things that has
always
existed, without hearing what the Board of Trade have to
say
on the subject.
I respectfully
submit
that section 211 of the Merchant
Shipping Act requires
a more
careful reading
than has been
accorded to it in these papers.
"The Instructions issued
by Board of Trade
say
As opportunity offers, and
as
can be
safely
done, the seamen
in receipt of relief from the Officer,
" and who are unable to ship or " to find employment,
are to be
" sent to the United Kingdom, or elsewhere, as the case may require :"
Also there are
agreements
with France, Germany and other
nations to send their distressed
seamen to their native country or
Colonies.
If
a strict interpretation
is given to either the Regulations of the Board of Trade which bear the authority of law, or the agreements above referred to
in accordance with section 211, I don't see
how they
can be carried
out.
During the past
years the average
number of
seamen sent away yearly was 99. There is always a reluctance to
take them, because it is said they
cause trouble - but being
subject
to the
same
discipline as the crew of the ship, this trouble should not exist if any pains are taken to prevent it.
Again, several of these
men
are sent home sick, and
the Colonial
Surgeon certifies that
they
are not fit to proceed without
medical attendance.
Now there are only two...