(2)The officer aforesaid to whom application is made for authority in terms of sub-section (1) shall investigate the grounds on which the seaman is to be discharged or the seaman or apprentice left behind and may in his discretion grant or refuse to grant such authority:Provided that he shall not refuse to grant his authority if he is satisfied that the seaman has without reasonable cause-(a)failed or refused to join his ship or to proceed to sea therein; or(b)been absent from his ship without leave, either at the commencement or during the progress of a voyage for a period of more than forty-eight hours.
