THE COLONIAL SHIPPING CONFERENCE.

Evening Star, Issue 12687, 13 June 1907, Page 2

THE COLONIAL SHIPPING CONFERENCE.

FINAL SETTING; . [Fb,om Ouxi Special Coreespo.ndent.] :\ -, . LONDON. May: 3.. The eighth and final meeting of the Colonial Merchant ‘Shipping Conference took nia 'ce last Monday at the' Foreign Offi-co. Mr ’ Lloyd-Gcorgo, M P-. President of oho Boar "d of Trade, presided. The New Z/ealand delegates present were Sir Joseph Ward, Mr Janies Mills, Mr W, Belcher, and Mr iu B- Hislop, with Dr Fitchctt (SolicitorGC \ lC dis<\issiou took place on a motion submitted IT the delegates representing tho United Kingdom providing for tho isafeguarding vf treaty rights in any ft dure colonial mivchant shipping legislation, fair W. Lyne moved an amendment, which would have made t-Ve resolution read as follows: — “Thai it bo .'ccoramendcd to tho Australian. and I'tcvr Zealand Governments, la aoay future merchant shipping legislalion. to insert an express', provision safeguarding • tbs possibility of any interference by any tcca.-;y tmless th.oso rights have been expressly concurred in by the colonies.’ - Tho amendment not being earned, the resolution was una:aimpusly adopted in the following form: —“ 'That it be recommended to the Australian and New Zealand Go vernments in any future merchant shipping legislation, to insert an express proinsion SiUfo rr uardlD£j xh.c obiigcvtio.ns imposed l>y &By treaties in which they have concurred or juav subsequently concur.*/ . . Ihe Conference then discussed motions of wliich the British delegation had given r.oi’ce vriih regard to the ti'Catmont of British and foreign shipping, uniformity of regulations, and vessels engaged in the coasting trade, and the following resolutions • •were passed:— ? British and Foreign Shipping.— “That it is desirable that the obligations imposed by Australian or New Zealand law on shipping registered in the United Kmf*doin should not bo more onerous than those I imposed on the shipping of any foreign conn- [ “Uniformity of Regulations,— I " That, with a view to uniformity, it bo a 1 suggestion to the Australian and New Zealand Ministers that, iu exercising any powers conferred on them by legislation to make regulations with regard to matters affecting merchant shipping, they should have regard ti tho corresponding provisions of the Imperial Merchant Shipping Acts or regulations made thereunder, so tar as circumstances permit ; and that at least three months’ notice should be given before any such regulations come into force.” —Vessels Engaged in Coasting Trade.— u That is be a recommendation to the Aus-‘ traLan and New Zealand Governments that if conditions arc imposed by locaJ law on vessels incidentally engaging in the coasting j trade in the course of an oversea voyage, care I should be taken that these conditions should I not be such as to differentiate to their dis- ; advantage as compared with colonial regis- \ tcred vessels.' 1 , • ) A resolution on the subject of the rcsolu- ! Hons of the Conference was moved by Sir 1 Joseph Ward, and carried unanimously, in the following terms :—“ That the Governments concerned be requested to introduce legislation to enable effect to be given to tho resolutions of the Conference in cases where legislation is necessary.” A discussion also took place as to the subjects of examination for masters and officers of British ships, but no resolution was .passed. At the conclusion of the proceedings the following resolution was moved by Sir Joseph 1 Ward and seconded by Sir W. Lyne, and carried unanimously;—“ That Conference desire to place on record their appreciation of the courtesy and ability with which the proceedings have been presided over by the Right ’Hbh. D. Lloyd-George, tho President of the Board of Trade.”

A vote of thanks to the secretaries of the Conference was also passed.