356 Report of the Committee on Colour- Vision. 



Question — With regard to shipping" Lascars, you say they do 

 not take look-oat duty ? — They are a sort of assistant look-outs ; 

 they have no responsibility, as that always rests with a European. 

 There are generally two on the look-out together, one European 

 and one Lascar. As a rule they pick up a certain quantity of 

 English, and they have very good eyesight, though I do not know 

 as to. their colour-vision ; they do not go through any examina- 

 tion. Between the two, that is to say the European who has 

 picked up a certain amount of Hindustani, and the Lascar a 

 certain amount of English, there is an understanding between 

 them. 



Question — Do you think the precautions taken by the Board 

 of Trade with regard to seamen are sufficient? — I would 

 not say they are stringent enough. They examine by means of 

 coloured lights in a narrow passage, and the man has to call the 

 colours. The naming of colours I consider to be a right test, as 

 well as matching colours, on account of cases of colour-ignorance. 

 Seamen might not know the names of all colours possibly ; but 

 as long as they name red and green without mistakes, that 

 would be sufficient. 



Question — Have you ever met anybody who called a light a 

 black light?— No. 



Question — Do you consider that the coaching for the Board 

 of Trade certificate, which is known to be practised, might be 

 the cause of the comparative ease with which defective colour- 

 vision men get the certificate ? — I do not think the coaching is 

 sufficient to account for it. 



Question — Does your examination include coloured lights? — 

 No, coloured wools only ; the Board of Trade use the coloured 

 lights. 



Question — We may take it that you examine all the officers, 

 and you accept the Board of Trade shilling certificate for the 

 men ?— Yes, we always insist upon that. All officers, from the 

 first to the fifth, go through our tests. 



Question — Have you any suggestions you would like to make 

 with regard to the tests ? — I think not, except that the Board of 

 Trade cannot be too severe with their examinations, and a little 

 strong pressure might be brought to bear upon them in this 

 direction. We should be glad to have the examinations made 

 sufficiently reliable to relieve us of the necessity of doing what 

 they ought to do. 



