MERCHANT SHIPS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 136, 10 June 1937, Page 9

MERCHANT SHIPS

SHORTAGE OF STAFF OFFICERS AND ENGINEERS GENERAL TRADE REVIVAL. SERVICE IN ROYAL NAVY. Only a few years ago unemployment was rife among officers and engineers of the British mercantile marine. To-day, in most of the leading British steamship lines, there is a genuine shortage of competent, train- ' ed men for executive positions afloat, and in some cases young men, for whom the outlook was gloomy when they were serving their apprenticeship, are now winning rapid promotion. Two main reasons are advanced for this sudden improvement in the professional prospects of deck officers and engineers. The first is that a considerable number of new merchant ships have been built in recent years, most of them larger and with more powerful engines than the old vessels which they have replaced. In consequence there has been a natural increase in opportunities for normal employment, and this has been accentuated by the buoyant state of world trade, with its beneficial effect on shipping generally. Expansion of the Navy. The second factor which is contributing to the present situation is that large numbers of officers and engineers are being invited to undergo extended courses of Royal Naval Reserve training. From information received by several of the local offices of shipping companies it appears that numerous picked men are leaving the mercantile service for one or more trips in order to serve as temporary officers in either tne Home or Mediterranean Fleets, or in other naval establishments. No official comment has been made locally on this particular aspect, but it appears that the Royal Navy, in view of the present unsettled state of world affairs, is determined to be prepared for any eventuality. The manpower of the Navy suffered considerably as a result of the disarmament programme. There were fewer opportunities for advancement in the service, and for some years numerous officers of the rank of lieutenant-com-mander took advantage of a voluntary scheme of retirement. Change in the Position. 1 Now the position has changed. Britain is again strengthening her

fleet and men are needed for the maintenance of her sea power. Huge new battleships are to be built—the last word in modern naval construction—and they will require highlytrained officers by the score. Quite apart from that, the Admiralty authorities obviously have not forgotten the magnificent work done by mercantile officers during the last war. They are seeing to it that these men are trained and the reserves of man-power for important directional posts will be strengthened immeasurably. It is gathered that the present shortage of trained men in the mercantile marine applies particularly to engineers. One large British shipping company has informed its New Zealand branch that qualified engineers of character and ability may be allowed to work their passages to England, with the opportunity of being found permanent positions on their arrival.