“THE ROAD TO RUIN”

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 44, 16 November 1925, Page 10

“THE ROAD TO RUIN”

SHIPS’ OFFICERS AND THE STRIKE. Under the heading of "The Road to the “Dolphin,the magazine of the Imperial Merchant Service Guild (which represents the captains and navigating officers of tho British mercantile marine), in its October issue, published a warning against tho effects of the seamens strike. . "A vicious and diabolical attack,” it is stated, “has been made by means of Communists and their propaganda the world over to destroy all the good influences which have existed in the merchant service amongst the different classes of seafarers from the highest to tho lowest. . . . These good influences which have existed have, of a certainty, served the best interests of employers and employees alike. . . . Even amongst the executive officers of the mercantile marine within tho last .few years there have been signs here and there, of an inclination to uproot the existing order of things, whereby many have followed the lead of a few misguided people in endeavouring to cripple organisations like the guild—organisations which even they cannot, and do not, deny have for years past been staunch and true to the interests they represent and have been responsible for immense improvements and reforms of many evils which hitherto obtained.

• • • Di. tlie course of the present trouble the position of the representatives of the masters and officers on the National Maritime Board and of the masters and officers themselves has been more than obvious, and that is, to adhere loyally to the agreements which have been arrived at on the board, just as much as the shipowners are expected, as a matter of course, themselves to conform to these agreements, and to see that they are carried out.”