GOOD TIME COMING FOR SEAMEN.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 904, 25 August 1910, Page 7

GOOD TIME COMING FOR SEAMEN.

— « I LABOUR'S NAVIGATION LAWS MANY CHANGES PROPOSED IN .. THE COMMONWEALTH. NEW ZEALAND AFFECTED. By Telegraph-Press Association-Copyright. (Rcc. August 23, 0.45 a.m.) Melbourne, August 24. Tho Fisher Government's Navigation. Bill has been introduced and read a first time.in tho Federal House of, Representatives. •■ It differs materially in several respects from tho previous Bill in some of its main features. . "Australian trade-"-is now extonded to include vessels trading .to New Zealand and, tho Pacific Islands, and :■ a coasting vessel means one making short j voyages from Australian ports to points not exceeding a radius of 400 miles. : A new definition is given. to doser» tion, which will mean absence from a ship without lawful cause. As regards primping the. Bill provides that no person other than a superintendent or the owner, master, mate, or. engineer of the ship shall engage or supply seamen or apprentices under a penalty of £50 or three months' imprisonment. A penalty of £25 is provided for receiving for tho supply of seamen. ■ . Seamen, in order to bo rated A.8., must have served at least threo years as apprentices before'the mast. Ibis does not apply to seamen rated A.B. before the commencement of the, Act. '"The crew of'a foreign-going ship, whether British or foreign, must not be 'employed in loading her in Australian ports, under a penalty of £100.' The penalties for offences against discipline are considerably reduced. The berthing,accommodation for seamen and apprentices is increased to not less than 140 cubic feet of air spaco,; and not less than 18 superficial feet measured on , the deck or floor, and not less than five feet measured , between the bunks. The measurements are to be clear of all encumbrances at tho forward or narrow end. Foreign; seameri on foreign- vessels may be forcibly placed aboard if absent without lcavey but in the case of seamen who .are Australian citizens such action cannot bo takon without/ their consent. . - ' : ' All vessels registered in Australia or engaged in the coasting trade must be fitted with wireless, telegraphy. Provision is mado for regular boat drill. . - ' ■ ' -. . A council representing all parties is to advise on the regulations and scales' of pay to be provided under tEe Bill.