NAVIGATION CONFERENCE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13940, 27 June 1907, Page 8

NAVIGATION CONFERENCE.

STATEMENT BY THE SOLICITORGENERAL. (P?.oh Our Own Coermpondf.nt.) WELLINGTON, June 26. •Dr Fitehett, Solicitor- general, was amongst the passengers who returned to the colony by the Maheno to-day. He atthe Navigation Conference, and in his opinion the most important result of tho conference was not so much the actual resolutions passed .as the better understanding that followed It, and the modiflcation of impressions that had been formed when everything was a matter for despatches, and' representations, and correspondence. Some of the colonial'delegates seemed to think at first that tho English shipowners vero pirates, and. on the other hand,- many of the English shipowners seemed to think that the colonial Legislatures and Governments were persecuting them wantonly. They came to an understanding, as the result of the conference, that there was 110 hostility to them on tho part of tho Governments or the colonial Parliaments, and that they were simply trying to carry out the policies which they considered neces«sry in the interests of their own people. Very friendly relations were established before the conference ended. .Tlicy all understood then tho reason for things that were being done, and that, the colonies were anxious to promote the interests of the whole of the Empire. .It struck Dr Fitehett,that tho shipowners drew a .marked distinction as between New Zealand and Australia. They bad very little to complain about regarding us, and when they made complaints about Australia it would be mentioned that "that did not occur in New Zealand." Over a.nd over again that was said. It was tho way in which the law was being administered that they resented so mhch. No doubt the conference would lead to improvement in this respect. The resolutions passed by the confcrcr.ce, Dr Fitehett said to a Post representative, were purely paper ones, and in many instances they were tho result of a compromise, but it was believed that they would result in good. It was. understood that tho Imperial and Australian and Commonwealth Governments would introduce legislation to give effect to them. Probably New Zealand would do tfto same.