AUSTRALIAN NAVIGATION

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 118, 26 August 1910, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NAVIGATION

A FAR-REACHING MEASURE.

|By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright | Melbourne, August 24. r n House of Representatives the Navigation Bill W&f * |fst time. . Ti jn seyerjii respects I u *"° rs - We«e m piain i to the previous Bin. .. features of the Bill are Uiat Australian trade shall be extended, to include vessels trading to New Zealand and the Pacific Islands, and that coasting vessels making short voyages from Australian ports, not -exceeding a radius of 400 miles. A new definition is given to "desertion," which will mean the absence from a ship without lawful cause. In regard to crimping, it is provided that no person other than a superintendent, or owner, master, mate or engineer of a ship, shall engage or supply seamen or apprentices, the penalty for so doing being £iso, or three months' imprisonment. A penalty of £25 is provided for receiving money for the supply of sea- , men. A seaman, in order to be rated must liave served at least three years as an apprentice before the mast. This does not apply to seamen rated "A.8." before the commencement of the Act. The crew of a foreign-going ship, whether British, or foreign, must not be employed, loading her, the penalty for the offence being £l'W. Penalties for offences against discipline are considerably reduced. The berthing accommodation for seamen and) apprentices is increased to not less than 140 .cubic feet and not less than 18 superficial feet, measured on the dteck floor, and' not less than sft, measured between the bunks, clear of all encumbrances at the forward or narrow end. Foreign seamen on foreign vessels; may ibe forcibly placed aboard if absent without leave, but in regard to seamen who are Australian citizens, such action cannot be taken without their consent. All vessel# registered in Australia or engaged in the coasting trade must 'be fitted with wireless telegraphic apparatus. Provision it made for regular boat drill. A council representing all parties is to advise on the regulations and the scales of pay provided. Melbourne, August 25. By the new definition in the Navjgation Bill desertion will mean absence from a ship without lawful cause arid/ with the intention of not returning!. The Bill makes provision for coast engineers and for vessels not propelled by steam. Marine engineers' • wages must •be paid at prescribed times', and two days' pay for each day the, payment is delayed. iNo deduction is allowed unless matters in respect of the deduction are entered in the log book during the voyage. The Governor-General may prociaim ports at which the employment of pilots is compulsory. Pilots will be servants of the Commonwealth. The Minis* ; ter may license pilots to take ships between ports. 'Masters of British ships who are British subjects may hold pilotage exemption certificates. Missionary ships are exempt. "The altered engine room manning scales provide for the following minimum number of employees: )ver 50 horse-power, one second-class, a ;otal of two engineers; over 100 horseM>wer, one first-class, one second-class, -,otal three engineers, one greaser; over' b7O horse-power (in the same order) me, one, four, one; over 200 horsepower, one, two, four, twoj . over 250 lorse- power, one, two, four, three; jver 300 horse-power, two, two, five, ihree; over 400 horse-power, two, two, >ix, three; running over 100 miles, me, one, two, two; " over 200 miles, jne, one, three, two; vessels of 50 lorse-power, running, over 400 miles, an idditional engineer; vessels over 200 lorse-power, an additional engineer twin-screw; river and biv steamover 50 horse-power, one secondMie greaser;. over 100 horse-pow class, under 200 horse-power, one f er and one second, one greaser. irst-dass,