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order ; and the small requirements in work, trouble, or 

 money to maintain in perfect working order. 



Finally — III. The mode and authority by which such 

 improved means shall be applied. 



It is obviously, if extended and improved means for saving 

 life at sea are to be employed, the function of Government 

 to initiate action. It devolves upon Government to select 

 the best means, and to exercise its authority in enforcing 

 their application. Its powers in the matter are exclusive, 

 and they are not transferable. Unless Government takes 

 action, slow and uncertain improvement only, if any, is to be 

 expected. Shipowners, like railway directors, or others at 

 the head of great interests, have ever a bewildering variety 

 of inventions, notions, and improvements persistently forced 

 upon their attention. The trouble given to them begets a 

 dislike to novelties and "improvements." To get quit of 

 the importunities of all, they " make a rule " to listen to 

 none, making no exception, lest they should "establish a 

 precedent." Government is differently situated ; it can 

 take counsel with, and command the services of, the most 

 eminent scientific men and experts, and determine, through 

 inquiry by a Royal Commission or otherwise, whether 

 every provision is made that can be made for saving life in 

 case of shipwreck ; whether the inadequate provision at 

 present made does not involve, in case of shipwreck, in- 

 evitable death to a great majority of all on board ocean- 

 going passenger or emigrant ships, or Government trans- 

 ports. By its professional and skilled agents Government 

 can select speedily and satisfactorily efficient means for 

 diminishing the loss of life at sea, and through its depart- 

 ments — the Board of Trade or the Admiralty — it can 

 enforce the application of such means. " Grandmotherly 

 legislation," or too much of the paternal in Government, is 



