RESULT OF MARITIME CONFERENCE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 162, 9 July 1907, Page 3

RESULT OF MARITIME CONFERENCE.

COMPARISON OF CONDITIONS.

jßjr Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

■DUNEDIN, this day,

Speaking to an interviewer in Dunedin, Mr. W. Belcher, who has just returned from the Navigation Conference, expressed regret that it had not be e n more comprehensive, as it was apparent in the early stages of the Conference that the prospect of a unification of the Empire's maritime laws was very slight. British shipowners resented, any interference with, the present conditions, and under the shipping Act of Great Britain, practically claimed the right to send their "shipa to trade whereever they chose without any local interf er ence. The owners, and the Board of Trade had, however, to admit the colonies' right to legislate, for themselves, and this was, in his opinion, an immense move ahead. Australasian shipowners and sea-farers would no doubt derive satisfaction from the fact that the coastal trades and conditions would be safeguarded from the encroachments of unfair competition from vessels poorly manned and cheaply paid. Great credit was due, for upholding the legislative rights of their respective colonies, to Sir J. G. Ward, Sir Wm. Lyne, and Hon. W. Hughes. The Conference agreed that with a certificate from the> Board of Trade ior any British ship, that vessel could trade in local waters until the expiry of the certificate, then she would have to undergo local inspection. He expressed pleasure at the provisions of the British Shipping Act of 1006, respecting increased living space for the crew, who were also brought under the operation of the Workmen's Compensation for Accidents Act. .Another wise provision was that all men signing in British ships (except Lascars), must have a sufficient knowledge of the English language to understand orders given on board. Mr. Belcher remarked that the conditions under which the seafaring man worked at Home, were inferior to those enforced here. Wages were lower, and there were practically no regulations regarding hours of labour and other important questions.