Page:History of merchant shipping and ancient commerce (Volume 3).djvu/67



One of the best of these institutions was formed in Norway, in conformity with the royal rescript of the


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establish a merchant seamen's fund upon the principle of voluntary payments would not be supported by a large body of seamen. The working of the Seamen's Fund Winding-up Act has proved that seamen generally, whatever advantages may be offered to them, will not voluntarily contribute to a fund. However great may be the objections, therefore, to compulsory payments, there is no probability that a fund can be established with any chance of success upon any other principle.'

"I admit that there is something repugnant to the feelings of the sailor, and, in fact, to all Englishmen, in the word 'compulsory,' when applied to the management of his own affairs; but, in general practice, that which would be termed compulsion, if sanctioned and regulated by the Legislature, is already a voluntary act cheerfully undertaken by large masses of the people. There is scarcely a handicraft trade in the kingdom the members of which have not formed themselves into a society, the object of which is, by means of periodical subscriptions, to secure a pension or payment in sickness or old age. Both individually and nationally, every such institution is in the highest degree commendable. If, therefore, these benefit societies deserve encouragement and support, when formed for artisans and others whose occupations are on shore, they merit encouragement and support still more when their object is to relieve those whose occupation is at sea. Seamen have no means of forming such associations, as they are scattered over the whole world, having no organization, no central power, and no machinery to put such a system into operation. Whatever incentives they may have to combine together for such a purpose, they have not the means of carrying into effect their wishes. This appears to be generally conceded; and we have arrived at the conclusion that it is the duty of Government to step forward to aid those who, from their peculiar calling, are incapable of acting themselves.

"Commander Brown, the Registrar, Mr. Baker and Mr. Williams, of the Board of Trade, together with Captain Pierce, of the Liverpool Sailors' Home, all concur in the opinion that the time has arrived when a new seamen's fund should be established on sound principles under Government supervision, and upon such a basis as shall offer to the seaman a strong and powerful inducement to preserve that test which secures to him substantial maintenance in old age, or when prematurely worn out. The whole of the machinery necessary to effect this object is now established at the shipping offices, and in the existing departments of the Board of Trade, and already in operation upon 12,000 masters and seamen who have contributed to the fund under the Winding-up Act of 1851.]*