DEMOCRATIC SNOBBISHNESS.
[To TRZ EDITOR or TEN "STIICTATOR.") Sin,—Three days before the conclusion of a voyage from India in the P. & 0. ss. 'Mongolia,' from which I recently landed at Plymouth, I was surprised at being asked to fill up a paper giving various particulars about myself, in accordance with the Merchant Shipping Act, 1906. I have made the voyage on six previous occasions, but have never been asked to give these particulars before, possibly because I have left the boat at Marseilles and returned to England overland. So it appeared to me that the collection of these particulars was a mere form. I was therefore all the more annoyed to find that a distinction was made between first- and second-class Passengers, for there was a footnote to the paper saying that " first saloon passengers are not required to state age or occupation." I personally have no objection to stating my
age and occupation, but I do object to distinction of thie sort being made under a Government which professea demo- cratic principles, and I should have persevered in my refusal to fill in the particulars had not the captain put a politely worded notice on the board saying that the company, as well as the passengers, were liable to a fine of £20 if these details were not given. My object in writing this letter is to draw the attention of the public, to this curious example of favouritism based on a money qualification.--I am, Sir, &e., Gastard Haase, Corakam, Wilts.
BERTHA. S. FOWLita.
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