BRITISH SHIPPING.

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 137, 9 May 1930, Page 2

BRITISH SHIPPING.

DOMINIONS’ LEGISLATION. EXPERT’S VIEW OF POSITION. Professor Berriedale Keith, in s letter to the London Times, says the Chamber of Shipping’s memorandum, referring to the interdependence of Empire marketing and transport, indicates that the chamber is not aware of the proposals accepted by British representatives at the Dominion and Shipping Legislation Conference last year. Theso contemplate the abrogation of the protection of British shipping by present restrictions upon Dominion's’ legislation. This entailed a departure from the Colonial Merchant Shipping Conference’s agreement of 190 i. when Mr W. M. Hughes and Sir William Lyne were spokesmen. It was then agreed that each part of the Empire should control its registered shipping, and British vessels engaged in coastal trading. Tlio present proposal to allow every part of the Empire to deal with all British shipping would lead to chaos.

When tho Commonwealth Shipping Lino was so'd by tho Bruce-Page- Government some shippers claimed that the sale of the line would lead to increased freight rates on ships owned by the Conference lines. While Mr Bruce was Prime Minister ho arranged a conference between representatives of the Conference lines who visied Australia last year. Tho direct result of that conference was the framing of an agreement between shippers and owners by which freights on Australian oxports were fixed. Legislation to legalise tho arrangement between the parties concerned was introduced in the Australian House of Representatives this session by tho Prime Minister, Mr J. 11. Sculljn Professor Keith is the recognised leading authority on the constitutional aspects of British 'and Dominion affairs.