XN000022-1972-12-15 — Page 4

-

3

ليا

Friday, December 15, 1972

The Government spokesman said the incidence of desertion of

Hong Kong registered seamen has become a serious problem affecting Hong

Kong, the shipping industry, and the country in which the seaman deserts,

"The reputation of Hong Kong as a recruiting centre and the

livelihood of Hong Kong seamen will suffer if the number of desertion is

not reduced," he added.

The second bill also amends the definition of seaman to include

all persons comprising the complement of a foreign-going ship other

than master, certificated mate, certificated engineer, doctor or persons

serving in capacities excluded by the Seamen's Recruiting Authority.

Exclusion

"The exclusion of this miscellaneous category of employees has

in practice enabled men to join ships through intermediaries, at exorbitant

fees, ostensibly as tallymen and compradors while they actively work as

deckhand, cook or engine room donkeyman," the spokesman said.

Another proposed amendment empowers the Superintendent to order

any scamen to undergo a medical examination and to suspend the seaman from

the register if he fails to pass it. If, subsequently, the seaman is certified

to bo medically fit, his name will be re-entered into the register.

The spokesman said the second bill has been drafted to eliminto some

of the deficiencies which have come to light with experience of the working

of the Seamen's Recruiting Office which was opened in June, 1966.

He recalled