NAVIGATION CONFERENCE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8795, 24 April 1907, Page 2

NAVIGATION CONFERENCE.

Fress Association—Copyright. London, April 23.

At the Navigation Conference Sir W. Lyne moved that compulsory insurance for seamen was desirable. He thought Government ought to pay hair the

premiums. Mr Hughes thought Australian people would object to pay. Ultimately amotion was adopted recommending the Commonwealth to extend the benefits of the Workmen's Com-pensation-Acts to seamen as already done in the United Kingdom. New Zealand shipowners dissented but approved the British Department scheme of compulsory insurance recommended in 1904.

Sir W. Lyno proposed chat tho North Atlantic mark apply to ships leaving' Australia via Cape Horn. The Board of Trade export considered this unnecessary as steamers leaving Australia wore lightened by 2 feet through coal consumption before reaching the storm area. A resolution was carried that tho Commonwealth adopt the provisions of the New Zealand Act regarding load line. The Imperial delegates abstained from voting, believing that tho decision rested with the Colonial Governments.; Sir W. Lyne withdrew his motion for a light loai lino for ships in ballast, when the Boar 1 of Trade announced that the House of Lords Committeo rn 3903 reported it was unnecessary. Sir "VV. Lyne said Australia could deal with the matter if necessary. The Conference admitted that Australia pojsesscd authority to provide that all seamen be engaged through Government offices, also to abolish advance notes, and restrict the allotment of notes to relations. . Sir W. Lyne did not press his motion, ] insisting that all vessels constructed after a certain date should bo fitted with watertight compartments, when the Conference admitted that it was purely a local matter within the Commonwealth jurisdiction. He also withdrew his motion for compulsory fitting of large steamers with wiroless telegraphy, accepting a motion that the Board of Trade and Australian and New Zealand Governments consider tho desirability of provison of wireless telegraphy Aboard passenger ships, which was carried. His motion in favoriof affording third-class engineers facilities to qualify for higher grade certificates was not pressed, on the Board of Trade promising to consider what relief is possible. Question of Deserters. London, April 23. Sir \V. Lyne proposed to abolish imprisonment for desertion. He declared lie did not desire to place foreign ships in a better or worse position than British. Mr Norman Hill objected to a seaman being allowed to go free if he forfeited his wages; yet if a seaman proved undesirable the ship owners, wero fined for leaving him behind. Mr Hughes interjected, "You arc between the devil and the deep sea, so there I"

Ultimately, on Mr Hughes' suggestion the motion was amended and carried as follows :—That imprisonment for desertion bo abolished in tho country where the seaman is engaged, except where the seaman,'.after negotiating an advance note, wilfully or through misconduct fails to join the ship, or deserts before the note is payable, provided that in respect of desertion from ships other than those registered in the Commonwealth or whose final port of discharge of the crew is the Commonwealth, deserters shall be placed aboard such vessels upon request by a competent authority, that of the Consul in case of foreign and of the captain in case of a British ship. Colonial delegates refused to accept Mr Hill's rider providing that if imprisonment for desertion was abolished ship owners should be relieved of the responsibility for tho repatriation of deserters, and relieved from any State penalty. The Conference adjourned till the 20th