Evening Post. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1909. SHIPOWNERS' GRIEVANCES.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVII, Issue 28, 3 February 1909, Page 6

Evening Post. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1909. SHIPOWNERS' GRIEVANCES.

There has been a revival during the last few days of the shipowners' grievances against the New Zealand shipping laws. The oulery has been loudest in Auckland, where a large proportion of tho sailing vessels of the country is owned, and their owners appear to be very much in earnest. The allegation is that the owners of sailing ships registered in New Zealand are severely handicapped in their competition with vessels on the Australian register by the drastic and harassing nature of our shipping legislation. What is particularly resented is that even while in New Zealand waters the ships which are registered in Australia are subject to fewer restrictions than those which are on the local register, and the New Zealand owner is therefore saddled with heavier working expenses on his own coasts. The result is, as was reported from Auckland last week, that one owner of two sailing ships has already transferred them to the Sydney register, and that another owner of twenty ships is contemplating a similar step. For the reasons given by the Minister of Marine, we think that this gentleman will be wiser to stay where he is. It is conceded by the Minister that some immediate advantage might be secured, but it is likely to be short-lived, and may at any time be converted into a debit. The Commonwealth has already passed legislation on lines very similar to those of the New Zealand Act, but its operation has been suspended for two years because the Royal assent is not yet forthcoming. As in the case of our own Shipping and Seamen Act, the Navigation Act of the Commonwealth raises a number of Imperial and international questions of great importance and complexity, which cannot be handled quite as freely by the statesmen who arc directly responsible for the diplomacy of the whole Empire as by those who have only their own States to consider. Hence the delay with the Royal assent to the Australian Navigation Act. It may, however, be regarded as certain that in some shape or other the Act will become law, and that any modifications which may previously be introduced will not touch the points now exercising the minds of the Auckland shipowners. And on these points Mr. Millar assures them that they will find the Australian measure "a great deal more ttringent" than our own. The wages paid in Australia are, according to his information, up to the New Zealand level. The mariners' scale is at present rather more stringent in New Zeaiand, but there will be no difference after the new Act comes into force. Even if this were not the case, public opinion will surely support the Minister's contention that the safety of life and property must take precedence of the shipowners profits, and that we must not lower our standard in this ..cspect merely because the humanity of other States may bo less vigilant. The public will also agree with Mr. Millar in seeking a remedy in the opposite direction. "If it is found," he says, "that efforts are being made to evade New Zealand shipping laws by a change of registry to another country, legislation will have to be introduced to make it unremunerativc for shipowners to ao this." In more senses than one, therefore, the policy which is being advocated in Auckland may pass the shipowners "out of the frying-pan into the fire." At the same time, the Legislature and the Executive are under an obvious obligation to do what they can for owners as well as seamen. The competition of foreign sailing ships, paying low wages and leaving the men to find their own food, with Britisn vessels, which pay higher wages and provide food as well, is obviously unfair. The New Zealand Shipping and Seamen Act requires all vessels trading on the New Zealand coast to pay wages at the New Zealand rates, bul obviously the most that our law can secuiv is that the form of payment should be gone through here. Its arm is not long enough to protect the foreign seaman from having the extra wages paid to him while in New Zealand charged against his future pay. Mr. A. H. Turnbull, of Christchurch, suggests that colonially-owned ships might be allowed to enter our harbours free of light and port dues or be granted a bonus like that given in France to foster the French mercantile marine. In either of thSiC cases legislation would, of conse, bo required, but if considered otherwise practicable and desirable, it wqiild bo ipijoh Isbp easily evndqcl than the present law with regard to vapes.