SEAMEN'S UNION.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXV, Issue 8208, 4 August 1915, Page 2

SEAMEN'S UNION.

ANNUAL CONFERENCE IN WELLINGTON.

(Per Press Association)

WELLINGTON, August 3. The annual conference of branch delegates forming the Provisional Executive of-the Federated' Seamen's Union of Australasia (New Zealand section), which commenced on Monday, continued its deliberations to-day, Mr : T) f . -Donovan, tho president of the Wellington branch, was unanimously elected chairman of the conference.' I' The sub-committee appointed to furnish information to the Press reported , yesterday that on Monday the conference had requested the Prime Minister to receive members of, the executive council as a deputation to protest to him, as head of the Department, i against the -action of -officials of the Labour Department- in refusing to register a.code oftruleVsubmitted by the Wellington branch on August 6 of last yoar, and to endeavour to ascertain from him the actual detailed requirements of the Department, which they had so far been unable to procure from the officials.

The conference to-day sitting in committee discussed the subject of the many complications arising through Now Zealand ships taking out articles in Australia and signing for the Federal .award, and then engaging in the* intercolonial and New Zealand coastal trade. Such action, it was argued, was in direct conflict with the unanimous decision of the High Court of .Now Zealand given in 1907, which was to the effect that a ship owned in New Zealand is deemed to be New Zealand territory, and that laws and awards of the Dominion apply -on board irrespective of the waters that she may enter. Thequestion arose as to whether a crew on board a New Zealand owned ship could enter into a contract aboard and thereby contract itself beyond the provisions of the New Zealand law. The conference will probably interview the Prime Minister on the subject.