MERCANTILE OFFICERS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18906, 5 July 1923, Page 2

MERCANTILE OFFICERS.

AN OVERCROWDED PROFESSION

The Marine Department of the Board of Trade has under consideration the problem n f unemployment among certificated officers of the British Merchant Service (says the London Daily Mail). When the war broke out large numbeis c officers of the Alercantile Marine were called up for service under the Admiralty. When, they sought to go hack to the Alerr.antilc Marine they were, in many cases, unable to do so because their places had been filled bv officers certificated during war time In some instances the officers, who served under the Admiralty had their civil posts kept open for them. But in so far as the effect upon the labour market went the result was the same in either case. There wc r e two men for each job. The position was made worse by the “slump'’ in shipping which followed the war. This has now been overcome and tonnage is being freely employed again. But if every British-owned vessel were chartered there would still he many Mercantile Marine officers out of work as the supply is much in excess of any possible demand. As one means of adjusting matters it is suggested that all examinations for certificates should be suspended until the numbers, of qualified officers is brought within the limits of the Merchant Service's requirements. It, is pointed out that the service itself would not suffer because there are plenty of young men among tho surplus officers, and it is folly to go on pushing youths into an over-crowded profession. One proposal submitted to the Board of Trade, is that a system of competitive examinations should be instituted and that the number of officers accepted should be governed by the requirements of the Merchant Service.' It is understood that this proposal is being considered by the board.