SAFETY AT SEA

Grey River Argus, 18 April 1929, Page 5

SAFETY AT SEA

International Conference (British Official V.'irelcss.) RUGBY, April 16. The fir t meeting of the Internation■il Confer, neo on the Safety of Life at Sea opened this morning at the Foreign Oflicc. Delegates were presenl from thirteen foreign countries, mi l rtprrsen atjjves from the League of Nations were also present. Sir Cunliffe Lister. President of the Board of Trade, conveyed to the Con ft rence a message from the King. In extending a cordial welcome to the delegates, IJis Majesty recalled the Conference which met in London over 1.) years ago, and expressed pleasure that so many countries which partici uated in hat Conference were now mc e more united in co-operation jn the great cause of safety of life at

Sir Cunliffe Lister,, addressing the Conference, said: “The purpose of this Conference is to review the Conference of 1914; and we assemble almost on the anniver a-y of the Tita nic disaster, which was the ininiedi.'lt? cause of the las Conference. That Conference was of the grcate < t value It was a novel and ambitious experi ment, and sought to cover a wide, field. Most of the questions affecting th 3 afety of a passenger ship came within its purview. That Conference dispersed, and within six months came he cataclysm of the Great War; and now we are met again—all allies in the common cause of humanity; and the very experience of the war will b ’ employe.l in aid in this pacific ta'-k. Much time and study have been drvoted to th e problems of construction, and provisional conclusions have bce~i tested by actual application t 0 new ships. Great developments have taken place in wireless telegraphy; wire less becoming, if it has not already become, the mo t important element in the safety of life at sea to-day. It not only ensures the greater safety of a ship which carries it. but it makes her a potential saviour of her sister ships. O:i these and other problems, you bring to bear the individual a,n.'l collective experience which is unrivalled.” On the proposal of Mr Wallace Whitehead of the United States delegation, Vice Admiral Sir H. Richmond. Chairman of the British delegation, ook the chair. LONDON. April 16. Canada, Australia, and the Irish Free State are represented at the Maritime Conference. The Australian di legates arc Captains Feakes Davies, from the Australian Navy; T. A. Free, of Huddart Parker’s, representing the Mercantile Marine.