THE NAVIGATION CONFERENCE.

Timaru Herald, Volume XC, Issue 13274, 1 May 1907, Page 5

THE NAVIGATION CONFERENCE.

MERCHANT SHIPPING LEGIS LATION.

United Press Association—Per Electric telegraph—Copyright.'' LONDON, April 30.

The Navigation Conference carried a resolution originally submitted by the Board of Trade .and Colonial Office, but amended by Mr Hughes, recommending that any future Australasian merchant shipping legislation should contain an express pro.hibii.ion safeguarding the obligations imposed by any treaties in which the Australian and New Zealand Governments had concurred or may concur. Mr Cox, on behalf of the Colonial Office, stated' that it was now customary to provide every colony with an opportunity of intimating adhesion or dissent, to a treaty; also the right to withdraw .on twelve months' notice. The colonies were also able to obtain favoured nation treatment without being bound under that -treatment if it extends to reciprocal treatment. The Board of Trade moved that all the Conference's resolutions are understood to bi without prejudice. In this decision" a legal question was involved, and Sir W. J. Lyne opposed it on the ground that the Conference's resolutions were hot legallybinding. Sir J. G- Ward objected to the resolution, and if id 4hat it really meant that the respective p.ouhtries were obliged to await legal decisions before the Conference's resolution"- could' take effect. -Ths motion wis withdrawn. The Board of' Trade moved that the obligations imposed-by Australia aM New Zealand on shipping registered in the United Kingdom should - not be more onerous those imposed on foreign shipping. -- Sir J. G. Ward declared that he favoured giving British ships preference; Lmt, if the motiori were passed, it might create a difficulty in obtaining the Crown's assent to colonial legislation owing to the rrcatv rights of foreign nations. Sir W. J- Lyne thought that the motion was superfluous. He wished fo give preference to British ships. ill- Hill thought that such kindly sentiments ought to be recorded. Ultimately on Sir W. J. Lyne's suggestion, the resolution was prefaced by the words: "It is desirable"; and was then carried. The Board of Trade motion was carried, that in view of uniformity Australian shipping regulations should have regard 'to the Imperial 1 shipping regulations, and three months' notice should be given before they aro enforced. Tlie Board of Trade liio.ved recommending that in the- Australasian conditions imposed on vessels incidentally engaging in coasting trade in the course of an oversea vovage care should be taken not to handicap those vessels. Sir W. J. Lyne disagreed with the motion, not wishing the colonies to be tied downMr Hughes said Australia did not desire to handicap British ship-owner:}; they rather desired to handicap foreigners. Sir J. G. Ward suggested the insertion of tho word " needlessly " before handicap. Mr Lloyd George suggested the substitution of the disadvantage as compared with colonial register v-eseels," instead of the concluding -yordy of the resolution. Tlie suggestion was adopted, and the motion as amended -was carried. Sir J. G. Ward's motion was carried, that the Government's be requested to introduce legislation giving effect to the Conference resolutions. Mr Hughes' resolutions relating to the examination of offiers and recommending that the number of officers be such as will enable the principle of a four hours' watch and eight off being rigidly observed was. withdrawn, after assurances by the Board of Trade's expert that the matters werealready covered. Sir *J. G. Ward moved and Sir W. J. Lyne seconded a vote of thanks for Mr Lloyd George's courtesy and ability in presiding over the Conference. f Tho motion was carried unanimously. Sir J. G. Ward hoped that these Conferences would bj Jield at reasonable interval.". Mr Lloyd George hoped that the next Conference would be an Imperial Conference, embracing all the self-governing colonies. ' Mr Lloyd George banquets all the dele-<;ate-s to the Conference on Friday.