§ 82. Mr. SEXTONasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to a manifesto issued in the United States pointing out to seamen of other countries the provisions of the Seamen's Act, 1915, which deprives foreign countries of jurisdiction over their own seamen whilst in American ports and which enables seamen on reaching port in America to demand their half wages and release so that, if they wish, they can join other ships; whether he is aware that the object of this manifesto is clearly to induce seamen, British and other, to desert their ships and their nationality and join the American mercantile marine; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANMy attention has been called to the document referred to. It is a notice to seamen published by a lawyer in the United States, who, so far as I know, has no official position. Whatever be the object of the publication, I have no means of dealing with it.
§ Mr. SEXTONIs the hon. Gentleman aware that this is an Act of the United States, and is he also aware that the difference in wages paid on this side and on the American side is one of £6, and does he not think that has something to do with the desertion of the men?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANThe question refers to a particular notice which I understand was published by a gentleman of the name of Silas Blake Axtell, and my answer dealt with that and not with the question of the American law. I know there was an American law in 1915, but the question of wages docs not seem to me to arise here.
§ Commander BELLAIRSIs it not the case that the American Jaw has not been recognised by all nations, but has been recognised by this nation?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI am not quite sure of that.