ASIATIC CREWS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2955, 2 November 1910, Page 41

ASIATIC CREWS.

IKE GOVERNMENTS INTENTIONS STAMP DUTY ON BILLS OF LADING. (Fbom Oua Own Cohresfondest.) WELLINGTON, October 27. A .statement of the Government's i'l tention with respect to the demand fa legislation directed against shipping coci ponies employing Lascar crews wa trade in the House to-day By the Prim' Minister, in reply to a question put b - Mr C. H. Poo'.a. Sir Joseph Ward said that as he ha.( intimated to a deputation thai waitlS on him he intended to deal with th< matter this session, and a bill would bt introduced and the House would be askex to pass it. The effect of this bill woiuh be to extend the laws now applying t< the coastal trade to make them applj to the Australian coast and' the Pacific Islands. That would enable us to control tile wages for crews of ships coming to New Zealand, exactly the same at we did on ships trading on our owa coast. Mr Maesey : How will that affect tht P. and 0. Company? Sir Josenh Ward": I am not coing t« discuss particular companies. If "it were to- stop them altogether I would- not ob> ject if the_ Lascar crews are to compete against- our own seamen. Companies like the P. and O. ovj-rht to respect the laws r>pssed in the interests of white seamen. T<;e position w,a-s too serious to allow sentimental considerations to prevent us from stooping a system that miffhl tap the foundations which we were anxious to preserve. Proposa's would also be submitted dealing with , Asiatic crews. That cla,ss of crew was coming on soma of the deep-water steamers, and was competing unfairly with white crews. The Government suggested provision for a stan-<p duty upon bills of lading foi cargo an d oasaeaeers so as to impose some dispbility udoo this cla.ss of vessel. Mr Parata : Will it interfere with th< Cook Islands? Sir -Tosenh Ward; Noj it will noi affect the 2\ T ative race.