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be encouraged to do the same, with the result

that the whole of the Conventions drawn up at

the International Labour Office would, for all

practical purposes, become useless, owing to the

numbers of reservations. The second alternative

referred to above, the Cabinet were informed,

was not applicable, as no legislation was

required except in regard to Article 5 of the

Convention.

The President of the Board of Trade

generally supported the views of the Ministry

of Labour on the question of principle.

In these circumstances the Cabinet agreed

(a) In regard to the Draft Convention

concerning Seamen's Articles of Agreement, that the International Labour Office should be informed of the objections taken by British shipowners and seamen to Article 5:

(b) That as regards the Draft Convention

concerning the Repatriation of Seamen, His Majesty's Government should intimate that it is prepared to ratify the Draft Convention as soon as at least six of the other principal Maritime Powers are also prepared to ratify:

(c) In regard to the recommendation

concerning the Repatriation of Masters and Apprentices, the Secretary-General of the League of Nations should be informed that the question of introducing legisla- tion to provide for the only point not covered by existing legislation, namely, the extension of the pro- visions concerning repatriation to Masters, would be considered when a suitable opportunity arises:

(d) As regards the recommendation

concerning the general principles for the inspection of the conditions of work of seamen, the Secretary- General of the League of Nations should be informed that His Majesty's Government accepts.

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