A—sa

VI

17. Load Line. (p. 140.) That the Commonwealth adopt the provisions of the New Zealand Act regarding load line. Passed, the British delegates abstaining from voting, on the ground that as the New Zealand Act gives no power to alter the Board of Trade mark imposed on any ship, the matter appeared one for the decision of the Commonwealth Government. 18. Desertion, (p. 145.) That imprisonment for desertion be abolished in the country in which the seaman is engaged, except in the case of a seaman who after negotiating his Advance Note wilfully or through misconduct fails to join his ship or deserts before the Note is payable. Provided that in respect to desertion from ships other than those (a) registered in the Commonwealth, (b) whose final port of discharge of the crew is in the Commonwealth, deserters shall be placed on board such vessels upon request by competent authority,—in the case of a foreign vessel the Consul of that country, in the case of a British ship the captain. Passed unanimously, Sir W-. Lyne not being present. 19. Wireless Telegraphy, (p. 151.) That the desirability of the provision on board ships carrying passengers of an apparatus for transmitting messages by means of wireless telegraphy should be taken into consideration by the Board of Trade and the Australian and New Zealand Governments. Passed unanimously. 20. Treaties, (p. 159.) That it be recommended to the Australian and New Zealand Governments in any future Merchant Shipping legislation to insert an express provision safeguarding the obligations imposed by any Treaties in which they have concurred or may subsequently concur. Passed unanimously. 21. British and Foreign Shipping, (p. 162.) That it is desirable that the obligations imposed by Australian or New Zealand law on shipping registered in the United Kingdom should not be more onerous than those imposed on the shipping of any foreign country. Passed unanimously. 22. Uniformity of Regulations, (p. 162.) That, with a view to uniformity, it be a suggestion to the Australian and New Zealand Ministers that in exercising any powers conferred on them by legislation to make regulations with regard to matters affecting Merchant Shipping they should have regard to the corresponding provisions of the Imperial Merchant Shipping Acts or Regulations made thereunder, so far as circumstances permit; and that at least three months' notice should be given before any such regulations come into force. Passed unanimously. 23. Vessels Engaged in Coasting Trade, (p. 166.) That it be a recommendation to the Australian and New Zealand Governments that if conditions are imposed by local law on vessels incidentally engaging in the coastingtrade in course of an oversea voyage, care should be taken that these conditions should not be such as to differentiate to their disadvantage as compared with Colonial-registered vessels. Passed unanimously.