DESERTING SEAMEN.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19326, 2 June 1928, Page 20

DESERTING SEAMEN.

DELAY CAUSED TO SHIPPING. (FROM OUR' OWN CORRESPONDENT.) LONDON, April 21. The serious delay caused to ships through seamen deserting in the Dominions was commented upon at West Ham Police Court, when James Enever, a ship's firemap, was prosecuted by, the New Zealand. Shipping Company on a summons for deserting liis vessel. Mr Francis Peregrine prosecuted, and said that Enet-er signed on the s.s. Essex for the round voyage on March 18th, 1927, and on June 24th he deserted in Brisbane. He came home on the Orvieto, arriving on March 2Jtii. Mr Peregrine had been instructed to press this master vigorously as shipping companies were suffering considerably because of the tendency of seamen to desert in Australia. The rea.son was that the rate of wages was higher there, and as a result of the desertions ships were held up, involving the companies in serious loss. Defendant alleged that the ship was alive with vermin and the vessel was practically sinking from the time she left Capo Town. Mr Peregrine said that this was not so, and' pointed out that there was never ijtny complaint laid to any Consul or port official about vermin or "the ship being unseaworthy. It 'fras stated that defendant earned £ls (2s on his homeward voyage. Mi: A. P. Quicke (Deputy Stipendiary) ordered forfeiture of this amount, sayi/ng he did' so to impress seamen witii the serious nature of the offence.