Political Gossip.

Southland Times, Issue 19133, 25 August 1903, Page 2

Political Gossip.

. « By Telegraph, "frown our own correspondent. WELLINGTON, Aug. 24. SHIPPING AND SEAMEN'S BILL The Minister for Marine was waited upon this morning by a number of representatives of snipping firms, who Drought under his notice certain suggestions in regard to the Shipping and Seamen's Bill. Amongst other matters thej r urged that there was no necessity for crews being engaged before the superintendent, as the present arrangement works very welt, and tho proposed alteration would put a lot. of extra expense on shipowners. The proposed new clause with regard to the rating of A.B's would increase the ■ required period from one to two years, and they also urged that great inconvenience would bo caused in .certain cases by the clause providing that seamen shall not be called upon to do any other work + ban that for which they are engaged. The Minisister intimated that that difficulty could be got over. The deputation urged that provision should be made by which hulks, when being towed, need not carry a full crew. They further urged that the whole cost of a seaman's illness should r-ot fall on the shipowner, as in many cases it was practically impossible to say whether the illness was contracted on the vessel or ashore. Another request was that the fine of £% lor refusing to leave a ship when ordered should be increased to £5- The deputation further expressed a doubt as to whether the provision that foreign ships visiting tne colony should pay the colonial rate of wages would bo found to work, a doubt with which the Minister appeared to agree. The deputation also discussed the question of the liability of shipowners, and the Minister, in replying generally, said his object wns to make a good workable measure, doing justice to all parties concerned. He would carefully consider the various matters put before him. STERLISINO PLANTS. Tho Agricultural Department is making enquiries ns to whether tho sterlising plants to be erected at tho Bluff nnd Auckland can be made in the colony so as to avoid the delay which must occur if they are obtained from Great Britain. Mr Laurie, the department's sterlising export, has gone to Auckland to select a site for the works to be established there, and win return to Wellington next week in order that he may assist to settle the, question whether the plants shall be manufactured in the colony or at Home.