Versions of s. 271(1)

The master of every Canadian ship on its arrival at a port in Canada, or at such other time and place as the Governor in Council may by regulation or otherwise, with respect to any ship or class of ships, direct, shall deliver or transmit in such form as the Minister directs, a return of the facts recorded by him in respect of the birth of a child or the death of a person on board the ship, to the chief officer of customs if in Canada and to the Superintendent of a Mercantile Marine Office or chief officer of customs if in any other Commonwealth country and to a consular officer if elsewhere.