NAYIGATION LAWS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13874, 11 April 1907, Page 7

NAYIGATION LAWS

THE CONFERENCE IN LONDON. COASTAL AND OVERSEA TRADE. Prees Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, April 9. The colonial delegates at tlia. Navigasm Conference refused to accept Mr Hill's rider suggesting'as a matter of expediency'thiil oversea vessels which only engaged in the colonial coasting trade to the- extent of Inking passengers' and cargo from 0110 colonial port to another should not l>B deemed to be engaged in tlio coastal trade.

After Mr Lloyd-George had consulted tho Australasian, delegates, the conference resolved that a vessel engaged in the oversea, trade shall not bo deemed to be engaged in the coasting trade merely because she carries between Australia and New Zealand ports (1) 'passengers holding through tickets to and from some oversea-' plaeo, and (2) merchandise consigned ou » through bill of lading to and from eonio oversea place. WAGES REGULATIONS. Tho conference next discussed the question of tho limits within which Australasian wages regulations were applicable. Sir J. (J. Ward's motion was carried recognising tho right of the Australasian Governments to provido that crews shipped from Australia ami Now Zealand to Fiji ,and the Pacific Islands receive such wages as their respective Governments fix. Sir Joseph contended that Australasian steamship-owners were entitled to bo protested. It was unfair to them and their officers and seamen if other ships were allowed to compote by paying lower wages. Sir W. J. Lyne argued tliat crews picked up at Australasian ports by foreign ships trading lo the Islands ought to come under Australasian wages conditions.. Mr Hughes strongly urged the application of tho Australian conditions lo any vessels trading from the Commonwealth to Fiji and the Pacific. Islands. Tho Colonial Office legal delegates questioned the right of the Commonwealth to apply Australian conditions to oversea vcsmls touching at an Australian port and then proceeding to Fiji. Sir W, J. Lyne recalled the legal decision referring to the breaking of sealed stores outside of territorial waters, and tho fining of the vessel at the next Australian port of call. Tho question* was left unsettled. SUEZ CA"NAL. Sir J. G. Ward has .given notice of motion to urgo the British Government to secure tlio recognition of the right of the Commonwealth and New Zealand to representation on the Suez Canal Council. LEGISLATION. Sir Joseph Ward also moves that the British, Commonwealth, and New Zealand Governments bo asked to legislate to give effect to the conference resolutions. LICENSING SHIPS. ' . . LONDON, April 10. (Received April 10, at' 11.25 p.m.) The Navigation Conference resolved that no ship shall trade on the Australian coast without a license. Tho Colonial Ofiice suggested that the licenses might 'take the form of 'a tax sufficient to jirovo a serious handicap. Mr Hughes explained that the Royal Commission entertained no such intention. It was proposed only to charge a small fee to cover official expenses. A QUESTION OF JURISDICTION. Tho discussion was reopened on Sir J. G. Ward's motion respecting the right of the Australasian Governments to fix the wages of a crew shipped in the Commonwealth or New Zealand for Fiji or the Pacific Islands,

Mr Hill agreed colonies could exercise jurisdiction in their territorial waters, but was unable to entertain the extension of the principlo beyond. Sir W. J. Lyne desired a line of demarcation indicating what was within the coastal trade of the Commonwealth and New Zealand.

Mr Lloyd-George remarked that since the propositi really mount an alteration of the colonial Constitution it would be preferable that the resolution be referred to the Colonial Conference.. Sir J. G. Ward accepted the suggestion. Ho said ho was desirous of protecting colonial ship-owners against unfair competition from outside. ' Ml , Lloyd-George explained that he did not expect his remark would be. taken literally. He only meant, to indicate the difficulty of legislation. / MANNING SCALE. Mr Hughes moved that tho conference approves of the principle of a maiming scale, applicable, to" all vessels registered in the United Kingdom, Australia, and Now Zealand. An interesting discussion resulted, the Board of Trade expert incidentally revealing that the department insisted on a certain minimum of officers arid crow beforo recognising a. vessel as ccaworthy. Mr Thomson, insisted that it was necessary lo • produce an equitable manning ficale.

MERCHANT SHIPPING ACTS. (Received April 10, at 9.28 p.m.) Mr Lloyd-Ucoi'go has appointed an advisory committee concerning the rules, regulations, and scales under the Merchant. Shipping Acts. SCOPE OF;rHE CONFERENCE. (Received April 10, at 11.25 p.m.) Mr Lloyd-Geifl'ge ruled Mr Hughes's motion out of order—that Australian conditions be applied to all ships engaged trading, to ami from any port in the Commonwealth and the Islands of the Pacific; Mr Hughes thereupon raised the question of the scope of the conference, claiming that Mr Lyttelton's invitation contemplated that the conference should have very wido powers. How was it possible to secure uniform legislation when the president indicated that there would'be no fresh Imperial Navigation Bill for many years. If that were so, uniformity would only be possible by restricting the freedom of colonial legislation ami the appointment of a committee to adjust anomalies-.

Sir W. J. Lyno thought that the previous resolutions secured for Australians wlwt. they wanted. '

Tho ship-owners contended that as efficient manning was an element in seaworthiness every ship ought to be judged on its oto merits. At Mr Lloyd-George's suggestion, Mr Hnglics's motion was amended on the linos of the clause in the original Commonwealth bill, to Ihe effect that no ship shall bo deemed seaworthy unless tho number and qualifications of' the crew, including officers, be adequate to encounter the ordinary perils of the voyage. This was carried. MOTION BY SIP. J. (4. WARD. Sir J. li. Ward moved that tho Board of Trade be recommended, in any amending Shipping Act, to give masters, mates, and engineers the designation of officers without prejudice to any rights they enjoynd as seamen. This was unanimously carried. BRITISH SEAMEN. Sir W. J. Lyne moved that every possible encouragement be given, by legislation or otherwise, to tho employment of British seamen in British ships in preference- lo foreigners. Mr Lloyd-George suggested that it would be better to omit the last four words, since they involved an international question.