THE EMPIRE'S TRADE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1146, 6 June 1911, Page 5

THE EMPIRE'S TRADE.

♦ FREER LEGISLATIVE POWERS. SHIPPING LAWS DISCUSSED BY THE CONFERENCE. COLOURED LABOUR. SIR JOSEPH WARD IN PROTEST. By TeleEraph—Press Association-Oopjrieb'. (Roc. June 5, 11.10 p.m.) London, .Tuno 5. From the official report, which was made available to-day, it appears that a considerable number of motions were discussed during tho afternoon sitting of the Imperial Conference on Friday. Most of them dealt with matters relating to shipping and commerce. Sir Joseph Ward took tho opportunity while speaking on the Australian navigation motion to protest against the employment of coloured labour in British shipping in Australasia. PREFERENCE TO BRITISH GOODS. TEEATIES BLOCKING THE WAY. Mr. Fisher, Prime Minister of Australia, moved— "Commercial Eolations.—That this Conference, recognising tho importance of promoting fuller development of commercial intercourse within the Empire, strongly urges that every effort should be made to bring about co-operation in commercial relations and matters of mutual, interest'. "Commercial Eolations and British Shipping.-r-That it is advisable in tho interest both of the "United Kingdom and of the British Dominions beyond the seas that efforts in favour of British manufactured goods and British shipping should bo supported as far as is practicable." Other countries, Mr. Fisher pointed out, assisted their trade by subventions, and Australia had endeavoured to coun-ter-balance that advantage by offering a tariff preforenco to British goods'. Unfair Competition. Senator Pearce, Commonwealth Minister for Defence, recounted how preferonce had been granted by Australia to Britain when dealing with the Commonwealth tariff in 190 S. He said that efforts had been made to equalise the unfair .competition of foreign shipping by according a benefit to goods brought in British ships and manned by British seamen. The Royal Assent had been withheld from this proposal because it conflicted with certain treaties. Powerfnl and heavily subsidised foreign shipping lines traded to Australia. They were bound to serve foreign Governments in war time, and were manned by foreign naval reserve men. Tho only way for Australia to assist British shipping was by exempting it from tho provisions of the Australian mercantile law. This, however, would operate unfairly to their own ship-owners who would be subjected to obligations- under tho law. lie believed that treaties with small countries had stood in the way'of granting tho Eoyal Assent. Great Britain, ho thought, might well consider denouncing the provisions standing in the way. Another condition of preference was that Lascars should not bo employed, but this referred solely to Australian trade.' Ths British View. Mr. Buxton, President of the Board of Trade, followed Senator Pearce, and said that while appreciating Australia's desire to assist British trade with tho Commonwealth, ho had to consider the matter in a world-wide senbe. Tho denunciation of the treaties might be undertaken if the end justified the means. Such an action might be resented by- foreign Powers, and Great Britain might suffer from their retaliation. In view of the country's enormous trade with other Powers, it would be unwise to risk the possible disturbance. He could not, therefore, accept tho resolution on the one particular point urged, though on the general principle the Government were in agreement with Mr. Fisher. Sir Wilfrid Lcurier, Prime Minister of Canada, said it might be difficult to dcr.ounco the treaties, but he would move at a subsequent meeting that a request bo mado to the British Government to negotiate with the several Pow-ers in order to relieve any Dominions so desiring from the operation of tho treaties. This would probably meet the Australian, view. Subsidised Foreigners. Sir Joseph Ward, Prime Minister of New Zealand, agreed with Mr. Fisher's resolution, and said that under tho existing conditions it was impossible for those conducting an export trado to compete with- the heavily subsidised foreign lines. Sometimos it was cheaper to ship goods from an English port to Germany and thence to Australia, than to send them direct. Tho denunciation of the treaties raised an important phaso, and he would prefer to hear Sir Wilfrid Laurier explain his motion before expressing an opinion. Tho further consideration of the motions was postponed until June 16. IMPERIAL SHIPPING LAWS. EMPLOYMENT OF COLOUEED CEEWS. Mr. Fisher formally moved:— "Navigation Law.—That it is desirable that the attention of the Governments of the United Kingdom and of the colonies should be called to the present state of tho navigation laws in tho Empire and in other countries, with a view to secure uniformity of treatment to British shipping; to prevent unfair competition with British ships by foreign subsidised ships; to secure to British ships equal trading advantages with foreign ships; to secure the employment of British seamen on British ships; and to raise tho status and improve- the conditions of seamen employed on such ships." Senator Pcavce addressed the Conference in support of tho motion. He pointed out that whenever a Dominion proposed (o pass a navigation law tho Board of Trade reminded it of tho existence of the Merchant Shipping Act, and pressed a view to which, so far as he knew, no Dominion assented, namely, that the Merchant Shipping Act must over-rule the Dominion legislation, even in the Dominion's own territorial wafers. It was necessary to have a clear understanding on the matter. Ho agreed that uniformity was desirable, but the Commonwealth should bo permitted to pass its own legislation beforo they ' attempted uniformity to interfere, unless the passage of a proposed measure impinged on tho legislative powers of the Commonwealth. He did not. desire, to place British owners at n disadvantage as compared with foreigner?, but the Australian shipowner musl not be unfairly placed in comparison with tho British shipowner, and it was necessary to secure a free hand for legislation,

Mr. Ilareourt, Secretary of State for tho Colonics, sniil a communication as to (he Board of Trade's views linri been made nt an early stage, as (ho Colonial Oflice was miller llio impression that it would be un advantage to die Commonwealth lo know them at the earliest moment. Mr. Buxton, President of tho Board of Trade, said ho had not desired to interfcro with the constitutional rights of Australia. The Board, however, was bound (o make representations as to the effect of legislation on the whole trade of ll>o Kingdom; and it was inexpedient to delay communications until a law was passed. He was willing lo accept a resolution if it were made to read that it was desirable to call attention to tho advisability of uniformity instead of to tako steps to secure it. Sir Joseph Ward's Views. Sir Joseph Ward thought it desirable to know the,points of conflict. Ho did not accept the suggestions as directions, but would be glad if tho Dominions had greater powers in dealing with their own matters. There was sometimes considerable delay in' giving the Royal Assent to a Bill. They oil the spot better knew their own requirements than the Imperiol Parliament. He strongly opposed tho employment of coloured crews on British ships even if the men were British subjects. Coloured seamen were competing in tho Australasian inter-colonial trade with whites, and ho would do all in his power to prevent disastrous results to those British shipping companies which were paying Arbitration Court wages in competition with cheap coloured labour. It was impossible for white sailors to maintain their families on tho rates paid to coloured crews. There should be no restriction of tho Dominions' powers to protect whites. They should have tho power to deal with the following matters:— Seamen's wages. The manning of ships. Tho fixing of tho accommodation for seamen. Marine surveys and life-saving appliances. Tho fixing of load-lines. Tho regulation of bills of lading. Tho prohibition of tho employment of Asiatics and other aliens. The Dominions also needed power to provide as to the conditions under which foreign ships might trade to ami within the Dominions, subject to existing treaty rights. He hoped the Conference would express an opinion as to how Asiatics should bo dealt with, both in tho interest of Asiatics and of their own people. TWO BRITISH MOTIONS, A motion by Air. Buxton 011 behalf of the British Government as to tho best method of utilising the British Labour Exchanges in connection with emigration was withdrawn. The delegates were all unfavourable except Sir Joseph Ward, who thought the experiment might be Ivied. Mr. Buxton'e resolution for the mutual enforcement of commercial arbitration awards was' referred to a committee. UNIFORMITY OF LAWS. Sir Joseph Ward moved— "Uniformity of Laws. —That it is in . tho best interests of the Empire that there should bo more uniformity throughout its centres aud dependencies in tho la'.v of copyright, patents, trade marks, companies, accident compensation, naturalisation, immigration, aliens' exclusion, currency, and coinage." Ho indicated the saving of time and cxpoiiso that uniformity would give. Tho motion was carried. DECIMAL COINAGE. Mr. Bat'chelor, Commonwealth' Minister for External Affairs, moved— "Coinage and Measures.—That with a view to facilitating trade andcommerco throughout tho Empire, tho question of tho adrisableness of recommending a reform of the present! units of weights, measures, and coins ought to engage the earnest attention of this conference." Tho motion was withdrawn, the Conference expressing t'ho opinion that it would seriously disorganise trade. 1 Tho Conference, after agreeing to Mr. : Buxton's motion to take concerted action 1 to "regulate conditions of holding international exhibitions, adjourned until Thursday. AUSTRALIA'S AIMS. PEACE AND MILITARY TRAINING. (Ree. June 5, 11.10 p.m.) London, June 5. A civic reception was given tho Australian delegates at Pandon Hall, near Stone, in Staffordshire, where they were spending the week-end as tho guests of tho Countess of Harrowby. Mr. Fisher, Prime Minister of Aus--1 tralia, declared that Australia's policy. ■ besides favouring co-operation in every ' possible way with the Motherland and ■ the other Dominions, was in some small way to develop tho peace of the world which seemed a new feature in modern ■ political aims. 'They desired to sec proi gress in the peaceful arts, in the production of wealth, and in the more equitable distribution of wealth than in tho past. Mr. Murray, Premier of Victoria, said ■ he hopi'd the Motherland would follow the Australian example in qualifying her . youths as citizen soldiers. Mr. AVilson, Premier of Western Australia, agreed that compulsory training was going to build up the nation.