RULES OF OCEAN HIGHWAYS

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12423, 17 April 1926, Page 5

RULES OF OCEAN HIGHWAYS

\CONFERENCE IN LONDON IMPORTANT BUSINESS. Reuter's rr ’~’Arr ral n. LONDON, April IS. The International Shipping Conference adopted a resolution dealing with matters affecting safety of life at sea. The resolution stated that the conference noted with pleasure that Britain would shortly call a diplomatic conference to revise the convention on this point. It also noted with alarm the increasing practice of sending out distress signals without warrant, and!called on all the Governments to co-operate immediately in checking its dangerous abuse. ’ ■ ,

A resolution was adopted in favour of an international plan for the avoidance of all double taxation. Stress was also laid on the necessity f for any difficulties in compiling the different returns. M.' Louis jFranck, reporting from the recent Brussels diplomatic maritine conference, at which h© presided, referred inter alia to the discussion on the immunity of State-owned shipping from claims in respect of collisions or otherwise; also to freedom from seizure or arrest. Private owners objected and urged the institution of a uniform law, if States' engaged in commercial shipPl j£ stated that an agreement had been reached at Brussels to whioh the Japanese delegates did not subscribe, pending communication with their Government. The text of th<( treaty would shortly be issued. He could not divulge details, but he assured the conference that nothing ill it conflicted t with the views of any Admiralty or hindered any country in the event of war.