HARASSING RULES.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1686, 28 February 1913, Page 3

HARASSING RULES.

:—« SHIPOWNERS' DEPUTATION. WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY AND OTHER MATTERS. (By Tclcgranh.—Prera Association.) 'Auckland, February 27. The Minister for Marine (the Hon. F. M. B. Fisher) was waited upon this morning by a large and representative deputation representing tlio New Zealand Shipowners' Federation, relative to a number of disabilities and harassing regulations under which owners of coastal shipping at present labour. Tno first question broached was that of wireless telegraphy on coastal steamers, Captain R. C. Hammond (assistant manager of the Northern Company) being spokesman. There was some doubt, _ ho said, as to which of the new regulations regarding the installation of wireless on coasting steamers was to bo carried out.At . the present time all coastal vessels wero fitted with the Morse code signalling apparatus, either with electric light, or, if the boat did not possess it, then with tho Morse lamp with which all coastal officers were familiar. Lighthouses and signal werp also equipped with the Morso lamp with tho uso of which keepers were familiar. "Let me explain tho intention of tho Department before you go further," said the Minister. "So far a 9 wireless is concerned the Department proposes that it shall be carried on. all largo passenger ships and ferry boats, like tho Maori for instance; but it 13 not intended that it shall bo installed on small vessels." In reply to Captain Hammond Mr. Fisher said he was not quite sure what basis would be taken, but tho regulation would be made as reasonable as possible. Ship-owners would also bo given an opntunity of considering the regulation ore it was put into operatipn. "I think," he added, "that it is advisable as a matter of conrse for the Department to submit regulations to tho Association before putting them into force. In tho past it has been often very harassing to owners and annoying to officers that the Department hns neglected to consult tho association in this respect, and wo wish to avoid that sort of thing ifn tho future." ..The Minister remarked that sinco 110 had been in charge of the Marino, Department'he h#id come to the conclusion that the officers of the Department lwd been bound down to carry out regulations not altogether applicable to our shipping. "I say, therefore," said the 'Minister, "that the Marine Department should havo more discretionary powers, for 1 do not believe that our Department can mako one law to apply to all classes of vessels. My chief purpose'in visiting 'Auckland is to away as far as possible tho harassing restrictions put on. the owner without endangering public safeguards. 'What I should like you gentlemen ■ to do is to set up a small special committee of two or three to meet Captains Fleming and Atwood, como to, an agreement on as many points as possible, and then come to me with those you are not able to agree upon, and wo will see what can be done. I want to get tho matter settled, as speedily as possible. Make your demands, therefore, in specific terras nnd if ynu cannot agree with the Department's officers, come to me and let us wb what, wo can arrange. The officers of the Department'have been tied down by regulations ns much as the shipowners. They have to carry' out hard and fast rules even if they are not wise ones. It, is l - all right if. the safety of the lives and general protection of tho public is concerned, but we wish oar. officers to use a little more * discretion.' AVe must therefore give them more discretionary power else we shall never arrive M anything satisfactory." Several other matter? which it was intended to lay before tho Minister woro held in abeyance till after a conference was agreed upon. '