Examination of masters and mates, shipping offices, &c., &c., approved.
The examination of masters and mates, the regulation
of space for crews, the insertion of the scale of
food in the articles, the means of remitting wages,
the allotment note, the establishment of seamen's
savings-banks, and various other important measures,
all indicating as they do the earnest wish of
the Legislature to secure the welfare of the sailor,
received the most careful consideration by the Commissioners,
with a view to their amendment where
necessary. But, though some Shipowners were of
opinion that the system did not work well, and that
they should be allowed to engage seamen, as other
employers engage their workmen, without the presence
of a shipping master, the Commissioners were
of opinion that the shipping offices had been of great
value and ought to be maintained, tersely remarking
that if the captain of a merchant ship would take
trouble to seek out eligible men he could arrange
to meet them at the shipping offices, indeed, could
engage them on board or elsewhere under a special
application.
The anxiety of Parliament to protect the seaman and, more especially, to treat him as incompetent to take care of himself, and as requiring the special interference of the Legislature, had exercised a prejudicial influence on his character, tending to destroy, as it did, the confidence which should ever exist between the master and his crew, and had frequently promoted insubordination at a time when good
- [Footnote: would not facilitate getting evidence on the first inquest because the
captain would still be able to say,—"I shall not give evidence which may be used against me."]
