HEALTH OF HEN ON SHIPS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18662, 19 March 1924, Page 10

HEALTH OF HEN ON SHIPS.

MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS. REQUEST .BY EMPLOYERS. A great deal of stress has been laid during recent case® before the Arbitra tion Court in Wellington on the advisability of those employed on ships subjecting themselves periodically to medical examinations. During his address in the stewards' case on Saturday Mr. W. G. Smith stated that the employers asked for a provision that a steward shall, if required, submit to medical examination before signing articles or at any time during the currency of the articles. The provision in the Shipping and Seamen Act, said Mr. Smith, was faulty, in that it did not provide that a worker must submit himself to examination, neither had any medical inspectors been appointed under it. In the United Kingdom the medical examination was in force by agreement with the National Sailors' and .Firemen's Union. If the provisions regarding workers' compensation being considered by a recess committee of Parliament became law not only would insurance premiums have to lie ' doubled, but medical examination would be insisted on as a condition of insurance. 'Many <|ases ooyujrred in which men who ■ were suffering from some chronic trouble joined a ship, and becoming incapacitated a few days later they entered a hospital, remained there to til cured, then came out, joined another ship and m a very short time the performance was repeated. The New Zealand Government, he said, insisted upon a medical examination in connection with the crew of the Tutanekai.