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nage of the United Kingdom, it can and does offer very substantial benefits to those who enrol themselves under its patronage, the only condition being—we believe—that of faithful service as agreed upon when engaging and signing at the mercantile marine offices for service at sea. In 1871 we had, as before stated, 197,000 seamen in the merchant service, of whom 17,000 were foreigners. Ten years ago there were 22,052 foreigners and 21,322 Lascars employed in the same service. Last year the total numbers had increased to 247,448, including 36,023 Lascars and 36,893 foreigners. If these figures are correct, they show that in 1871 about 5,500 more men of native birth were employed under the red ensign than in 1901. The large increase in the total numbers during the thirty years of nearly 50,500 men is made up by the increased numbers of Lascars and foreigners, to which must be added the 5,500 less Britishers, showing an increase of about 56,000 of these two kinds. It is probably very much higher. Ten years ago there were over 700 more foreigners than Lascars. Last year there were nearly 900 more foreigners than Lascars.[1] Thirty years ago 48,157 men were sufficient for the needs of the Royal Navy. Last year the personnel of the Navy was 119,000 with a shortage in the stokehold ratings. Thirty-three years ago the School Boards became established in England. There are not wanting those who would see in this one of the causes that have led to a falling off in the numbers of British born merchant seamen. In this period the conditions of life at sea and the work at sea have changed entirely, while most other channels of suitable employment on shore have changed too, in the interest of the worker. Thus the shipping industry comes off badly in competition with employment on shore. At all events we must recognise the want of attraction to lads possessed of decent education to a life in the merchant service, where, either before the mast or in the stokehold, there is little or nothing for them to do beyond. drudgery, mostly of the dirtiest possible kind. The coal shovel and chipping hammer are not exactly tools to get romantic over, therefore large numbers of men after a few years, sometimes only months, find other ways or means of getting a living. There is always a feverish desire to get work ashore. In all the principal seaports of the world there are Britishers planted firmly and creditably, who have figured at one time or another in the British merchant ship. At home many of the best of the merchant seamen may be found in the various fire brigades,
- ↑ The latest report varies these figures, showing an increase in the number of Lascars.
