131.—(1) Where a seaman is discharged before a superintendent in the United Kingdom, he shall receive his wages through or in the presence of the superintendent, unless a competent court otherwise direct, and if in such a case the master or owner of a ship pays his wages within the United Kingdom in any other manner, he shall for each offence be liable to a fine not exceeding ten pounds.

(2) If the master or owner of a home trade ship so desires, the seamen of that ship may receive their wages in the same manner as seamen discharged from a foreign-going ship.