PERMITS TO LEAVE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17274, 15 September 1916, Page 4

PERMITS TO LEAVE.

MARINE ENGINEERS AND SEA-

MEN.

[Per Press Association.]

DUNEDIN." September 14,

The Hon G. W. Russell stated to-day that- many young engineers .having finished their apprenticeship desired to ihip as marine engineers, but were debarred from doing so by the military permit system. He had arranged that in ' those cases lists of apprentices ihould be handed to tße permit officer in'each centre, and on representations being made that a man had :>ona fide joined a company's service as l permanent officer and not merely tor a temporary trip, facilities won id be given to enable him to foLow lus profession by. joining the crew ,of any -hip that mignt be named. Mr Russell also stated that in Auckland recently he was waited on by the heads of shipping interests who drew attention to the difficulty of prodding crews for vessels. The position represented was that under tue regulations men who had been discharged from oversea vessels within the last tewlve months, or who had discharges representing at least twelve months' service on the coast within the last three years, were entitled to join a vessel on receiving a certificate from the Marine Superintendent. The permit officer also had been given oower to a certificate to enable a man to shin. It was pointed out that many men* whose discharges were ncc covered bv the regulations were fultv qualified to undertake sea service, and rlplay was caused in having to comnuintcate with the Dooartment at Wellington in order to ascertain the position of the men. He had. communicated with Dr M'Nah, Minister of Marine, and it had been agreed to amend the regulations so that in cases where a man possessed, discharges not covered bv the two cases already menturned then at the discretion of the Siuvwintenrleut of Marine the man, could be shaped as steward, fireman, trmmer or wliatever it might be. Instructions also had been given to nprmit officers that in order to all?w -bins to eet away they might w«na* 1-ro-er discretion with the limitation no man was allowed to shi?. rl trimmer. sWard <rr fireman who h;d b"en refund a nermit to leave the Dominion, for military reasons.