NAVIGATION LAWS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13875, 12 April 1907, Page 5

NAVIGATION LAWS

THE CONFERENCE IN LONDON. EMPLOYMENT OF ASIATICS. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, April 11. (Received April 11, at 9.48 p.m.) Tlio Navigation Conference to-day considered tho international convention adopted at Brussels in 1905 for tlio unification of tlio huv regarding collisions and salvages. The subject was adjourned lo enablo Sir W. J. Lyno ami Sir J. U. Ward to submit suggestions, the Imperial Government having withheld adhesion until the colonics had been consulted. Mr Belcher moved that tlio conference is opposed to tlio employment of Lascars, coolies, Chinamen, or persons of any alien race on any vresel owned or chartered to trado in the Commonwealth or New Zealand. His aim was to keep the Asiatic blot off Australasia. Sir James Mackay, on behalf of tlio India. Office, explained that it was impossible to consider legislation excluding Lascars from the British mnritimo marine. It would be ii great lellection on hundreds of millons of loyal, sober, and industrious British subjects if the proposal was adopted. It would also place Australian vessels trading Id India and .the East under serious disabilities. Sir W. J. Lyno supported the motion, urging that the stoking difficulty was exaggerated. What whilo stokers in the navy accomplished in the tropics others could do on trading vessels. Sir J. G. Ward believed that it. was iji the best interest of the Umpire to employ white crews. Tlio Government of New Zealand would never subsidise a steamer carrying other than whites. Ho eulogised (he Union Company's spontaneous response to tlio Now Zealand law. (Received April 11, at 9.48 p.m.) Mr Hughes said that at anyrate the objection of the India Office did not apply to Chinese and other coloured aliens. Mr Cox '(Colonial Office) recalled Mr Chamberlain's despatch protesting against drawing tho colour lino and suggesting other means of attaining the end desired. Mr Hughes retorted that the imposition of a general education tost created the calumny that Australia, wished to exclude whites. Mr Hughes objected to any discrimination regarding accommodation and general conditions between coloured and white seamen.

Though the conference was not unfavourable to this, tho Imperial delegates objected, and the suggestion was not pressed. Mr Belcher suggested to substitute the words "coloured labour" instead of "Lascars, coolies, and Chinamen." Ultimately the motion was withdrawn. Sir J. G. Ward's motion urging the Board of Trade to give immediate consideration to tho improvement iof the eyesight of seamen was carried; also Mr Anderson's motion making the Board of Trade's current certificate of efficiency of compasses equivalent to a docal certificate. Mr Belcher moved that the Board of Trado be requested to introduce legislation providing that all seamen be paid full wages duo at any port tho crew desires. It was agreed to substitute twotliirds for full. ■ Sir W. J. Lyne supported the motion. Mr Lloyd-George moved as an amendment that the conference approves of the provisions of " The Merchants Shipping Act, 1906," respecting the allotment, and payment of seamen's wages. Tho Imperial delegates and representatives of British ship-owners and seamen and Mr Thomson voted for the amendment. Tho colonial delegates, excepting Mr Thomson, dissented from the amendment, and accepted Mr ( Belcher's motion.

Mr Belcher moved that tho Board of Trade investigate the clauses attached by ship-owners to articles and agreements signed by crews. His object was to securc uniformity and establish a principle of equity between employer and employed. fiie Imperial shipping and seamen's delegates expressed themselves as satisfied with the present law, and the motion was withdrawn. The conference then adjourned till Monday week. Sir W. J. Lyne declares that lie is absolutely satisfied that the conference has accomplished a great deal more than was expected, and ho has practically secured all ho rcouired.