MR HAVELOCK WILSON'S VIEWS.

Bush Advocate, Volume XXIV, Issue 25, 19 April 1912, Page 8

MR HAVELOCK WILSON'S VIEWS.

ROTORUA, This Day. In an interview with a reporter last night, Mr. Havelock Wilson explained that, as the English Union is ahiliated to the International Union, this appeal will be sent to all the maritime nations of the world. He mentioned that he is a member of the Advisory Committee of the Board of Trade, which is responsible for all the regulations relating to the saving of life on ships. Last year the committee had under consideration the question of watertight bulkheads and boats that should be carried by ships. The loss of the Titanic would open up a very large subject. First, •&& .regards the manning of vessels, probably the Titanic carried only 50 A.B.'s, which, in the opinion of the leaders of the Seamen's Union, is not sufficient, as we consider that each boat's crew should have at least, four competent seamen to take charge. It will open up a question as to wiiether it is right to allow such large vessels to cross the ocean without naving a sufficient number of lifeboats to accommodate the crew and passengers in. the event of disaster, such as lias belallen the Titanic. The owners of the vessel state that it is impossible to find space to carry sufficient boats to accommodate all the passengers. If this is so, then the question will have to have serious consideration as to the number of passengers that should be carried unuer sucn circumstances. One very eminent builder stated that it was not possible to construct water" tight compartments that would withstand the strain. Mr. \Vilson ; s view with regard to the 'titanic disaster is that the vessel did not strike the iceberg end one, but struck it sideways, which caused a breach in the side or the ship for some considerable distance, nooding more than one compartment, lie anticipated that there would be a very lengthy enquiry into tins very sennas calamity. '1 here was one thing.in connection with it that ought to fill all Britishers with pride, and that was the discipline that had evidently been maintained on the ship and the gallantry on the psirt of the * men who made way for the womenand children. It was an old standing j motto of the sea, "Women and chii- | dx-en first," and it was quite evident, | i so" far as the news go to the present [ time, that this motto of the sea had. been well and truly fulfilled. The disaster also opened up another great question with reference to the composition of crews. Certain shipowners in Britain, some two years ago, wrote columns of matter in the press etuogising the employment of Lascars and Chinese in preference to British seamen, but here the British sailor has proved to the whole world that he is a true and brave seaman. The disasters which had recently happened on ships where Lascar crews had been employed had placed them in a very unfavorable light, after the heroic conduct of the crew of tiie Titanic as against the cowardly conduct ol : some of the Asiatics. . Probably the travelling public will find it profitable to give preference to vessels that employ British seamen.