NAVIGATION CONFERENCE.

Greymouth Evening Star, 28 March 1907, Page 3

NAVIGATION CONFERENCE.

FIRST MEETING IN LONDON. [Press Association—Copyright ) LONDON Mar 27. Tho Navigation Conference opened at the Foreign Office when there wore feur representatives of the Board of Trade, two of tho Colonial Office. Mr Kenneth Anderson, Mr C. F. -Pernio, and Mr Norman Hill represented the ship owners and Mr Havelock, Mr V l ' if son and Mr Kenny the seamen. All the Australian delegates were also present. Mr Lloyd George presided and welcomed tho delegates. He explained the objects of the Conference and said that although the Motherland moved slower than tho Colonies yet she moved very fast. Last year in the Merchant’s Shipping and Workmen’s Compensation Acts s’-e anticipated many of the recommendations rf tho Australian Royal Commission, notably in improving the amenities t life at sea. Ho suggested that the Conference should bo confined chiefly L tho question of the principle forming the basis of practical solution of the issues between tho Motherland and the Colonies. Ho emphasised the desirability of uniformity in shipping legislation and remarked that the only difficulty was in finding a standard embodying a practicable arrangement acceptable to all parties. Sir oseph Ward acknowledged Mr Lloyd George’s kindly welcome and said that sprightly youth enabled Hie Colonies to avoid the legislative mistakes of the Old Country and enabled them to move faster. New Zealand rightly claimed a share in the internal working of the Empire’s laws. He rpognised the stupendous difficulty of framing legislation applicable to the merchant shipping of the world, but felt sure that the practical result of tho conference would bo belter protection of ship owners and seamen. Ho hoped that the New Zealand Act would be the basis for any suggested improvement in the Imperial laws. New Zealand would accept no retrogression but was willing to adopt any improvements. Sir Wm. Lynn said that the conference rendered it easier to understand the difficulties to find solutions to the various problems. While desirous of recognising tho interests of the Imperial Government and of British ship owners bo felt bound to state flat duo regard must be paid to the different conditions in Australia, where the rate of payment of -seamen was much higher. Ho referred to Australia’s extensive coast line and said that Australia asked that British vessels trading to her coasts should accept the ‘ local conditions Australia also held strong views with regard to the employment of colored stamen. He analysed the provisions of the New Zealand and the latest British acts, the Australian Bill of 1904 and tho recommendations of tho Royal Commission. He drew pointed attention to the New Zealand act, which contained nearly all that tho Commonwealth was asking. Ihe British act also went a long way though not as far as Australia hoped and intended to go. Great Britain had already made a great advance in regard to air space, wages and other speints in the direction of improving seamen’s conditions, but Australia was especially determined regarding waged, the employment of colored seamen and the improvement of the general condition of seamen. In further remarks Sir Wm. Lyne said that tho Commonwealth Government bad prepared a bill, based on the Royal Commissions report, and Australia was not likely to be satisfied with anything less. Discussing details and referring to the work of passenger and cargo ships, he said float the question was raised whether tfte standards affecting the hulls machinery, boilers and life saving apparatus, established by the Board of Trade could be accepted for British ships throughout the Empire. The Conference adjourned till Ap-ril-4th. . ~ bur Joseph Ward is very pleased with the prospects of Sir Wm Lyne considers that the British feeling is tempera to and conciktory. Hughes indicated that tho Conference has six points which Austialia attached first importance to. Australia was prepared to accept the Board of Trades’ certificate for British ships, but considered it insufficient under the existing system for foreign ships. Australia wanted an adequate standard of seaworthiness to bo applied to all ships. Tho Labor members of the House of Commons entertained Hughes at luncheon,